ELKO — Newmont Mining Corp.’s Exodus mine claimed the life of a miner from Spring Creek who died last Friday.
According to Newmont officials, Allen Campbell, 49, died in an accident. However, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has not issued any preliminary report, but listed the cause of the fatality as a slip or fall of the victim.
The MSHA classified mining accidents to include falls or slips from an elevated position or it can come be in the same level resulting from getting on or off machinery or haulage equipment that is not moving. It can also be falls and slips while operating or repairing equipment or machinery, and even stepping in a hole.
It was 2 p.m. when the accident happened at the mine located 25 miles north of Carlin. The officials from MSHA and Nevada State Mine Inspector’s Office were immediately informed of the incident. They are now working with Newmont to investigate the cause. No other information was given out.
Mary Korpi, Newmont’s Director of External Relations said that right now all information is speculative as to what happened. The news greatly affected not only his family, friends, co-workers but the whole mining industry as well.
Campbell is mourned by his wife, Julie, and two children, Levi and Jacob. According to Newmont, Campbell has been working for the company in1988. Beginning as a surface mining worker, he was later transferred to underground operations in 2001.
Tom Kerr Sr., regional vice president, North America Operations expressed sympathies from the company when he said that they are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of their friend and colleague, Allen Campbell. Their thoughts and prayers are with Allen’s family and friends, and they will continue providing support and assistance during this extremely difficult time.
This marked the first Nevada mine fatality for 2012 which is the 12th metal and non-metal mining fatality in the nation; but it excludes coal mining deaths.