Contracted Employee Fatally Injured in Utah Mining Incident

The death marks the fifth mining fatality in the U.S. this year

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:27pm

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A 37-year-old contracted employee at Rio Tinto's Brigham Canyon Mine in Utah died after a large boom fell and struck him while he was working inside a maintenance shop on the site. The incident marks the fifth reported mining fatality in the U.S. this year, three of which occurred due to machinery issues. Rio Tinto has suspended all mining operations at the site and is offering counseling to employees.

Why it matters

Mining remains a dangerous industry, with equipment failures and other incidents leading to worker fatalities. This tragedy highlights the need for continued safety improvements and oversight in the mining sector to protect workers.

The details

According to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the contracted employee, identified as Brian Cameli, was working inside a maintenance shop when a large boom gave out and fell, striking him. Despite first aid from fellow employees and attempted lifesaving measures from first responders, Cameli died at the scene.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Brian Cameli

A 37-year-old contracted employee at Rio Tinto's Brigham Canyon Mine who was fatally injured when a large boom fell and struck him.

Rio Tinto

The mining company that operates the Brigham Canyon Mine where the incident took place.

Rosie Rivera

The Salt Lake County Sheriff who offered condolences and stated that the incident was a 'tragic' one for everyone involved.

Simon Trott

The Rio Tinto Chief Executive who expressed devastation over the loss of their colleague and stated that the company is focused on understanding what led to the tragedy.

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What they’re saying

“These types of incidents are tragic for everyone involved. Our thoughts are with Mr. Cameli's family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

— Rosie Rivera, Salt Lake County Sheriff (People.com)

“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague, and our heartfelt sympathies are with their family, friends, teammates, and everyone in the Kennecott community. The safety of our people comes before everything else. We are fully focused on understanding what led to this tragedy.”

— Simon Trott, Rio Tinto Chief Executive (People.com)

What’s next

Rio Tinto has suspended all mining operations at the Brigham Canyon Mine site as they investigate the incident and work to understand what led to the fatal equipment failure.

The takeaway

This tragic mining fatality underscores the ongoing safety challenges in the industry and the need for mining companies to prioritize worker protection and continue improving safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents.