ELKO, Nev. (AP) —An employee at a mine in northern Nevada was killed in an equipment accident, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.
Marissa Hill, an employee of Nevada Gold Mines’ Cortez Hills Underground Operation, was killed late at night Feb. 14 in an accident involving power haulage, which is equipment such as shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives and front end loaders.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and coworkers of the employee,” the company said in a statement. ``Barrick President and CEO and NGM Chairman, Mark Bristow, extends his deepest sympathies at the loss of our fellow miner.”
The company told the newspaper that the area where the incident occurred has been secured and operations in the immediate vicinity have been suspended until further notice.
“Our primary focus is supporting the employee’s family, friends, and coworkers and working with MSHA to fully understand the circumstances that led to this event,” the company said.
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has been notified and is on site.
Current Cortez operations owned by Nevada Gold Mines are in both Eureka and Lander counties and include the Pipeline, Crossroads and Cortez Hills open pit mines, as well as the Cortez Hills underground mine.
NGM also is seeking U.S. Bureau of Land Management approval to begin gold production at its Goldrush underground mine at Cortez, where test mining is under way.
