The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported 33 mining industry fatalities for 2025. That is up from 28 in 2024. These fatalities include both employee and contractor deaths.
There were also three “non-chargeable” fatalities in 2025, deaths that are determined to be unrelated to mining activity and are not included in MSHA’s fatality statistics
There were four fatalities in December for which the agency has not yet issued fatality alerts. There were two machinery fatalities, a powered haulage fatality and one exploding vessel under pressure fatality. Three of those fatalities occurred at crushed/broken limestone plants and one at a coal plant.
Overall, in 2025, 19 fatalities occurred at construction-materials locations.
On Dec. 6, the agency celebrated National Miners Day to recognize and applaud the skill, dedication and hard work miners put into providing many of the products essential to fulfilling America’s most vital needs.
MSHA stated, “America’s miners are an invaluable part of our nation’s workforce, supplying the minerals and raw materials for many critical needs like energy, national defense, manufacturing and infrastructure. Each day, thousands of miners supply the iron ore and coal necessary to produce steel, the gravel and cement needed to build our roads and bridges, and the copper essential to electricity transmission lines.
“We honor current, retired and former miners, including those we’ve lost in fatal mining accidents and to occupational illnesses such as black lung disease and silicosis. In doing so, we recommit to ensuring that miners’ safety and health must always be the first priority and concern in mining.
“The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) honors miners through our commitment to their well-being, both during and after their service. MSHA continues to advance our mission every day, working to ensure that miners’ health, safety and rights are protected, and their work is acknowledged and celebrated.”
