Mining Incidents

Every mining fatality in Alaska

MSHA's accident file records 18 fatalities at mines in Alaska since 1983, listed by year. Each links to its incident record.

2021 1 fatality

January 16, 2021 AK · Metal/Non-Metal drill operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Teck Alaska Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

A miner was fatally injured while using a tool to remove a down hole hammer. The drill motor turned unexpectedly, pinning the driller's leg between the tool and the drill mast.

2011 2 fatalities

September 7, 2011 AK · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man Fatality · EXPLOSIVES AND BREAKING AGENTS
Coeur Alaska Inc · Struck by flying object

The investigation is not complete, but as of now it appears a miner was fatally injured when material that traveled through a borehole struck him after a blast was initiated. The victim was on the 1290 level ramp waiting for a blast to be initiated. The concussion from the explosion traveled through a 3-inch borehole, blowing small rock and debris onto the victim.

June 4, 2011 AK · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator Fatality · SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working without fall protection and fell to his death.

2007 3 fatalities

September 20, 2007 AK · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Wilder Construction Company · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

A fatal accident occurred when a miner became entangled in a take up pulley on the #13 conveyor belt. A guard was in place at the time of the accident.

July 19, 2007 AK · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec Fatality · MACHINERY
Alaska Gold Company · Struck against a moving object

Initial Information: Two EE's working from manlift on West side of mill building over Electrical Room. From initial witness reports, it appears they were in the process of retracting & lowering boom at end of shift with boom fully extended to the South when South side wheels slipped sideways from leveling blocks, causing lift to tilt and capsize. Boom fell, basket hit ground.

July 19, 2007 AK · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec Fatality · MACHINERY
Alaska Gold Company · Struck against a moving object

Initial Information: Two EE's working from manlift on West side of mill building over Electrical Room. From initial witness reports, it appears they were in the process of retracting & lowering boom at end of shift with boom fully extended to the South when South side wheels slipped sideways from leveling blocks, causing lift to tilt and capsize. Boom fell & basket hit the ground.

2006 2 fatalities

December 15, 2006 AK · Metal/Non-Metal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Teck Alaska Inc · Struck by falling object

Frozen dig face material sloughed from the dig face of 750-28 bench, striking employee and pining him to the ground.

September 21, 2006 AK · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Ketchikan Ready Mix & Quarry Inc · Struck by falling object

EE WAS UNDER A DITCHING BUCKET CUTTING A PLATE OUT AND THE PLATE FELL AND LANDED ON HIS CHEST. WITHOUT AN AUTOPSY REPORT COMPLETED YET, THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS THE IMPACT OF THE STEEL PLATE ON HIS CHEST, LUNGS.

1995 1 fatality

September 19, 1995 AK · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc · Struck against a moving object

DURING THE EARLY PART OF NIGHT SHIFT WHILE TRAINING WITH AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER IN THE CAT WITH HIM, NEW DRIVER GOT TIRES OF WATER TRUCK OVER THE EDGE OF A SHALLOW EMBANKMENT. THIS CAUSED THE T RUCK TO ROLL OVER THE EDGE CRUSHING THE CAB WHICH KILLED HIM.

1994 1 fatality

July 1, 1994 AK · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator Fatality · FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Echo Bay Alaska Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS ADD 7' SWELLEN BOLTS TOT HE RIB AND BACK. EMPLOYEE LEFT THE CAB OF THE JUMBO E WARN HIS HANDS. EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING AT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH HIS BACK TOT HE RIGHT RIB. THE GROUND SUPPORT FAILED AND THE RIB STUFFED COVERING THE EMPLOYEE.

1990 1 fatality

February 2, 1990 AK · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man Fatality · SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Alaska Inc · Fall down raise, shaft or manway

WHILE ASSTISTING JACKLEG OPEATOR, VICTIM APPARENTLY MOVED TO CLOSE TO OPEN RAISE AND FELL.

1989 1 fatality

September 25, 1989 AK · Metal/Non-Metal driller operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Echo Bay Alaska Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE DRILLING WITH 2 BOOM JARVIS CLARK JUMBO W TAMROCK 550 DRILLOS & 11/4IN DRILL STEEL EMPLOYEES CLOTHING GOT CAUGHT ON DRILL STEEL PULLING EMPLOYEE BETWEEN DRILL ROD & DRILL SLIDE RESULT ING IN DEATH

1988 1 fatality

March 28, 1988 AK · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man Fatality · MACHINERY
Enserch Exploration Incorporated · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

VICTIM AND 2 OTHER EMPLOYEES. WERE INSTALLING WIRE ROPE FOR AN AERIAL TRAM. THE WIRE ROPE GOT STUCK UNDER A ROCK OUTCROPPING. THEY APPLIED MORE TENSION TO THE ROPE IN ORDER TO FREE IT. THE ROP E SPRANG FREE AND BROKE AWAY FROM ITS ANCHOR BOLT. THE ROPE STRUCK THE VICTIM AND KNOCKED HIM DOWN A MOUNTAIN ABOUT 350 FT.

1987 1 fatality

May 11, 1987 AK · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver Fatality · MACHINERY
Aleutian Constructors · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

CONE CRUSHER TR5ILER WAS KNOCKED OFF STANDING BLOCKS AND A CRANE WAS MOVING IN TO PICK UP TRAILER.AS CRANE MOVED IN THE DIRECTOR AND OPER WERE LOOKING AT OVERHEAD WIRES.OPER SAW SOMETHING OUT OF CORNER OF E2E AND WENT FOR BRAKE AND HIT GAS.PINNED VICTIM BETWEEN OUTRIGGER AND CATWALK.

1986 1 fatality

August 20, 1986 AK · Coal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman Fatality · FALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
Usibelli Coal Mine Inc · Caught in, under or between collapsing material or buildings

WHILE WORKING I3 TRENCH WITH BACKHOE WEST SIDE OF TRENCH FAILED AND FELL ON EMPL.

1984 1 fatality

March 31, 1984 AK · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator Fatality · MACHINERY
Mc Graw Construction · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

MIKE CALLAHAN HAD SHIRT HAGGING OUT OF PANTS HE WAS WARNED EARLIER IN DAY ABOUT IT. HE WAS TIGHTING SPRING & WAS DONE. STRAIGHTED UP GOT SHIRT H IN SPROCKET HE PULLED IT OUT & LEANED RIGHT BAC K INTO SPROCKET THIS TIME IT CAUGHT BOTH OF HIS SHIRTS AND TWISTED HIM UP.

1983 2 fatalities

June 24, 1983 AK · Metal/Non-Metal Fatality · OTHER

2 COMMERCIAL CONTRACT-DIVERS DROWNED WHILE ATTEMPTING REPAIRS ON DAM LOCATED 7 MILES FROM MINE SITE HOWEVER STILL ON COMPANY PROPERTY GOT CAUGHT IN WATER FLOW AROUND LEAK AND COULD NOT FREE TH EMSELVES

June 24, 1983 AK · Metal/Non-Metal Fatality · OTHER

2 COMMERCIAL CONTRACT-DIVERS DROWNED WHILE ATTEMPTING REPAIRS ON DAM LOCATED 7 MILES FROM MINE SITE HOWEVER STILL ON COMPANY POPERTY GOT CAUGHT IN WATER FLOW AROUND LEAK AND COULD NOT FREE THE MSELVES