Regulators Blame Management for Fatal Accident at Nevada Gold Mine

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Federal mine safety regulators say a fatal accident at a northeast Nevada gold mine was caused by inadequate policies and safety procedures involving the operation of a 20-ton drilling machine.

The Elko Daily Free press reports that 26-year-old Jason Potter of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, died Aug. 3 after being struck by a drill steel at SSX Mine. The Mine Safety and Health Administration cited Potter's employer, Small Mine Development LLC. MSHA says the accident was caused by management's failure to ensure that loading and transporting materials was done safely.

The agency says Potter had four years of underground mine experience and had been at the mine 42 weeks. MSHA says Potter's documents and training records met requirements. Officials for the Idaho-based mining company did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.