Miner dies in underground accident

CRESCENT VALLEY — A worker was killed in an underground mine accident on Monday, Sept. 27, Nevada Gold Mines said in a statement on Tuesday.

Jeremy Smokey, who started his job at the Goldrush Underground mine in Eureka County in August, died of “injuries sustained in an accident,” the company said, adding managers were “deeply saddened” by his death.

“Jeremy was a valued member of our team,” a statement from the company said. “Our primary focus now is supporting those impacted by this tragic event.”

It added, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jeremy’s family, friends and coworkers and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Goldrush Underground, part of the Cortez Complex, opened in 2024.

According to records from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), this accident has not yet been recorded online.

The most recent recorded incident at Goldrush was in July, when an electrical engineer moving an auger “pinched right ring finger between auger and fitting on the pug mill belt.” The worker had an open fracture and was referred to an orthopedic specialist. The worker lost time, but no other consequence was reported by the agency. 

Nevada Gold Mines said the MSHA and the company’s Emergency Response Team “remain on site as we work to fully understand the circumstances of [Monday’s fatal incident].”