Mining deaths fall to one in 2009 in Nevada

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 | 6:41 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Nevada recorded only one mining fatality in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, marking a significant decline for the state.

Since 1996, Nevada has recorded 46 deaths from mining accidents and trails Kentucky and West Virginia, both with 132 fatalities and Pennsylvania with 50.

The only year that there were no mining deaths in Nevada was in 2006. In 2008 there were three fatalities.

The Labor Department said mining deaths nationwide fell to an all-time low of 34 in 2009, the second straight year of a decline. Coal mines recorded 18 deaths and metal/nonmetal mines registered 16 fatalities.

Steve Halverson, 57, a drill operator for Newmont Mining Corp. was killed in June after a flatbed pickup truck backed into him at the North Lantern Pit north of Carlin.

Tim Crowley, president of the Nevada Mining Association, said the safety professionals in the industry worked closely with federal regulators to reduce the deaths with a goal of no fatalities.

Joseph Main, assistant secretary for labor, said 173,000 civil penalties were imposed for violation of mine safety and health regulations. And mines paid penalties of $140.7 million.