Two deaths in December brought the total of metal and nonmetal mining deaths to 17 for the 2015 calendar year, down from 29 deaths in 2014, assistant secretary Joe Main said.

“On August 5, 2015 I called metal and nonmetal stakeholders across the nation together apprising them of our fatality prevention efforts and urging them to get involved,” he said.

“MSHA Metal and Nonmetal Administrator Neal Merrifield spearheaded initiatives to focus industry attention on specific hazards or conditions contributing to the deaths.

“In October 2015, which is historically the mining industry’s deadliest month, MSHA issued the ‘Seasonal Safety’ alert to call attention to hazards as mines prepare for winter shutdowns.

“In November 2015, MSHA partnered with the Industrial Minerals Association and issued the Confined Space initiative, and in December 2015, Metal and Nonmetal issued a ‘Go Home for the Holidays’ alert. Stakeholders across the country joined these efforts in one of the largest concerted actions between MSHA and industry.”

The extensive efforts by MSHA and the mining community resulted in the safest period in metal and nonmetal history, Main said.

Since implementation of the August 2015 initiatives, the metal and nonmetal mining industry has seen the longest stretch in mining history without a single death – 134 days from August 3 through December 15, 2015.

“To sustain these results and maintain progress, I directed MSHA to continue these enhanced actions and initiatives and call on mining industry stakeholders to do the same,” Main said. “In the coming months, MSHA will be partnering with associations to issue safety alerts and initiatives. I am asking mining associations, labor organizations, mining companies and state agencies across the country to sign on as supporters of these initiatives.”