Mining Safety Research
Understanding the true scope of mining safety challenges through verified government and industry data sources. Every claim we make is backed by specific, traceable metrics.
Why This Research Matters
Mining remains one of the world's most dangerous occupations. Behind every statistic is a family, a community, and a story that deserves both recognition and protection. We study these numbers not to sensationalize, but to understand — and ultimately to prevent future tragedies.
Our mission at Earthform is built on verified data from authoritative sources. We believe in transparency, accuracy, and respect for the workers and families affected by mining incidents. This research page provides full context for every safety-related claim on our website.
We don't need to imagine or pretend dangers are worse than they are. The reality is sobering enough, and it deserves honest, evidence-based solutions.
Our Data Sources
MSHA (US)
Mine Safety and Health Administration provides official US mining safety statistics, including fatality counts and incident rates.
- • Daily Fatality Reports
- • Quarterly Part 50 Statistics
- • Covers coal + metal/nonmetal mining
- • Rates per 200,000 hours worked
ICMM (Global)
International Council on Mining and Metals represents ~1/3 of global mining industry through member companies.
- • Annual safety performance data
- • Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR)
- • Member company fatality reports
- • Rates per 1,000,000 hours worked
BLS CFOI (US)
Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries covers all US mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction.
- • NAICS 21 sector coverage
- • Private industry focus
- • Annual workplace fatality rates
- • Rates per 100,000 FTE workers
Key Verified Metrics
2024 Mining Fatalities
Note: ICMM represents approximately one-third of the global mining industry. US MSHA data covers coal and metal/nonmetal mining operations under federal regulation.
2024 Incident Rates (Preliminary)
Note: MSHA Jan-Sep 2024 figures are preliminary. Units vary by source - be careful when comparing across organizations.
Methodology & Transparency
Data Collection Standards
- ✓ Only use official government and industry association sources
- ✓ Clearly note preliminary vs. final data
- ✓ Provide direct links to original source materials
- ✓ Document methodology and calculation notes
Rate Conversion Guidelines
Multiply MSHA rates by 5 (200K → 1M hours)
Not directly convertible without hours-per-FTE assumptions
ICMM covers ~1/3 of global mining; MSHA covers US federal jurisdiction only
What This Means for Our Mission
The data shows clear progress. US mining fatalities decreased from 40 in 2023 to 28 in 2024. ICMM member companies achieved their lowest recorded TRIFR at 2.29 per million hours worked. This progress demonstrates that focused safety efforts save lives.
Yet challenges remain. Even with improvements, mining continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations. The BLS reports mining's fatal injury rate at 16.9 per 100,000 workers in 2023 — significantly higher than most other industries.
Technology can accelerate progress. Our mission at Earthform is to build AI systems that can predict, prevent, and respond to underground hazards. We're not solving an imaginary problem — we're addressing a real challenge that affects real families and communities worldwide.
Every prevented incident is a life preserved, a family kept whole, and a community made stronger. This is why we build.
Access Our Complete Dataset
Our complete mining safety baseline dataset is available for researchers, policymakers, and anyone working to improve mining safety worldwide.
All data sources and methodology documented. Updated regularly as new official data becomes available.