NEVADA – A preliminary report from federal safety investigators says that last month, two miners were trying to remove a water pipe at a gold mine in northeast Nevada. The pipe burst, killing one and hurting the other.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said that Alejandro Castaneda, 49, who had worked at Nevada Gold Mines’ Goldstrike Underground mine for almost 20 years, died in an accident on January 23.

The Elko Daily Free Press said that Pedro Morquecho was hurt in the accident at the mine in Eureka County, north of Carlin. He was treated at a hospital in the area and then sent home.

MSHA said that the two miners were using hand tools to take apart a steel waterline when it suddenly broke. “The waterline hit both miners. One was killed and the other was hurt.”

MSHA said that 554 people work at the mine. The cause of the accident is still being looked into.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and coworkers of the employees involved,” Nevada Gold Mines said in a statement following the accident. “Our primary focus is supporting those involved and working to fully understand the circumstances that led to this event.”

The last hardrock mining death in Nevada happened almost a year ago, on February 14, when a truck driver was killed in a crash at NGM’s Cortez Underground Mine.

Credits: Fox Reno

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