An Idaho-based company was cited by the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration for inadequate safety controls at a gold mine they operated in Nevada. On October 25, 2018 a worker was killed after an underground collapse at Small Mine Development’s Lee Smith Mine near Elko, NV.

Jason Holman was loading explosives into drill holes to blast away rocks to get to ore when the collapse occurred. He was buried in cemented rock fill which was designed to reinforce the tunnels. It was determined he had been trained properly and had over eight years of experience.

Investigators found that the rock fill had not been adequately handled. It should remain on the surface for 30 minutes between mixing and delivery and in this case the operator had stockpiled the material on the surface for two hours before loading it into trucks to go underground on trucks. It should be laid in position soon after mixing to avoid setting and stiffening.

The investigation also determined that there were inconsistencies in how inferior material was handled when it was reported. The rock fill was the central cause of the incident.

“The accident occurred because mine management policies, procedures and controls were inadequate to ensure the establishment and maintenance of safe ground conditions where persons work or travel,” the agency said.

“Management engaged in aggravated conduct constituting more than ordinary negligence in that they failed to implement an adequate quality control process,” the agency said.

Small Mine Development General Manager Keith Jones said that the company took exception with the root cause analysis from MSHA and said the procedures at the mine at the time of the incident were in line with industry standards.

“Testing of cylinders in the area had indicated acceptable strengths. We have installed about 2.6 million tons of CRF at this particular mine without incident.”

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