Galena, MSHA investigating fatal accident at Galena Mine

WALLACE — Tuesday’s fatal accident at the Galena Mine Complex will weigh heavily on the Silver Valley for a long time — and for some, it will never stop.

Blaik Nutting, 26, was struck and killed by falling ground on Tuesday during routine underground operations.

Falling ground is used to classify incidents related to unexpected rock mass movement or the uncontrolled release of rock in excavations due to gravity, pressure or rockburst.

As soon as the rest of the miners were out of the mine on Tuesday afternoon, all operations were suspended so a proper investigation could begin.

On Thursday, the miners returned to work for the first time since the accident, flanked by a flag waving at half-mast.

Dave Riggleman, the general manager at the Galena, has been with the mine for just over a month — and even with 40 years of experience in the industry, he’ll tell you that navigating these tragedies never gets any easier — sentiments echoed by the statements of the company’s president.

“We are shocked and saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of our employee,” said Americas Gold and Silver President and CEO Darren Blasutti. “Our primary focus is supporting those involved and working to fully understand the circumstances that led to this event and to prevent it from happening again in the future.”

That investigation is still ongoing, even with the miners returning to work — however, the area in which the accident occurred will be off-limits until the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) makes its determination.

“We can’t work in the location of the accident — MSHA has ordered that area closed pending their investigation and there is no estimated time for completion,” Riggleman told the News-Press. “Determination of cause and any other factors that may have contributed will have to wait for MSHA’s report, which they told us today could take months.”

The Galena Mine, which is currently owned and operated by Americas Gold and Silver, had not experienced a fatality since 2010. Tuesday’s accident also marks the first mining-related fatality since 2014.

Nutting is survived by numerous family members, including a fiance and a young child.

A GoFundMe and Venmo account has been set up to help the family navigate these difficult times.

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