Fatal mine accidents approaching recent annual highs

Mining fatalities this year are already approaching 2020’s total, and the year is only three-quarters complete.

Based on details found on the Mine Safety & Health Administration’s (MSHA) website, at least two more miners died in fatal accidents that took place Sept. 14 and 15, respectively, in gold and copper mines. These reported incidents mean at least 26 miners died across the nation’s mines this year. Twenty-nine miners were killed in accidents across the U.S. in 2020.

Consider, too, that last year represented the sixth straight year in which mining fatalities were below 30.

After seven fatalities occurred between July 13 and Aug. 11, MSHA’s website indicates that more than a month passed without a single fatal accident. Unfortunately, the two fatal accidents in mid-September took the number of miners killed on the year up further.