Fatal Mining Accidents in the U.S.
Updated September 9, 2022 |
Infoplease Staff
The following table includes information about the most fatal mining accidents in the United States. Only accidents with ten or more fatalities are listed.
Year | Day | Mine | Location | Type | Fatalities |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 04/05 | Upper Big Branch Mine-South, Performance Coal Company | Raleigh County, Montcoal, West Virginia | Explosion of Gas or Dust | 29 |
2006 | 01/02 | Sago Mine, Anker West Virginia Mining Company Inc. | Upshur County, Buckhannon, West Virginia | Explosion | 12 |
2001 | 09/23 | No. 5 Mine, Jim Walter Resources, Inc. | Tuscaloosa County, Brookwood, Alabama | Explosion | 13 |
1989 | 09/13 | William Station No. 9 Mine, Pyro Mining Co. | Union Co., Wheatcroft, Kentucky | Explosion | 10 |
1984 | 12/19 | Wilberg Mine, Emery Mining Corp. | Emery Co., Orangeville, Utah | Fire | 27 |
1981 | 12/08 | No. 21 Mine, Grundy Mining Co. | Marion Co., Whitwell, Tennessee | Explosion | 13 |
1981 | 03/15 | Dutch Creek No. 1, Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. | Pitkin Co., Redstone, Colorado | Explosion | 15 |
1976 | 03/9-11 | Scotia Mine, Blue Diamond Coal Co. | Letcher Co., Oven Fork, Kentucky | Explosion | 26 |
1970 | 12/30 | Nos. 15 and 16 Mines, Finley Coal Co. | Leslie Co., Hyden, Kentucky | Explosion | 38 |
1968 | 11/20 | Consol No. 9 | Farmington, West Virginia | Explosion | 78 |
1951 | 12/21 | Orient No. 2 | West Frankfort, Illinois | Explosion | 119 |
1947 | 03/25 | Centralia No. 5 | Centralia, Illinois | Explosion | 111 |
1940 | 03/16 | Willow Grove No. 10 | St. Clairsville, Ohio | Explosion | 72 |
1940 | 01/10 | Pond Creek No. 1 | Bartley, West Virginia | Explosion | 91 |
1913 | 10/22 | Stag Canon No. 2 | Dawson, New Mexico | Explosion | 263 |
1909 | 11/13 | Cherry Mine | Cherry, Illinois | Fire | 259 |
1907 | 12/06 | Monongah Nos. 6 and 8 | Monongah, West Virginia | Explosion | 362 |
Source: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States Web: www.msha.gov/ .
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