A preliminary accident report from The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration released a report of a fatal accident at Premier Magnesia, LLC. located in Gabbs.
The report states that on Sept. 15, mobile maintenance mechanic, Richard Duff, age 60, was working on a Kawasaki 135 Z Front End Loader.
After completing his tasks, the miner began dismounting the machine at which time he fell.
Duff landed on the ground with impact to his head, neck and shoulder areas. The report states that he was unconscious for between four and ten minutes.
Transported to a local hospital, duff was placed on life support system.
He would pass away on Sept. 26.
Duff was a 28 year veteran in the mining field.
Premier Magnesia has been in business for over 50 years, mining Magnesium Oxide and Hydroxide to be used in agricultural and industrial settings and is the only domestically-mined source of magnesia in the United States.
The mine employs 110 total employees in neighboring Nye County.
