On July 14, the Nevada Mining Association (NVMA) announced their 2026 Mine Operator and Contractor Safety Award Winners, including 27 mine operations and five contractors.
“These awards recognize an outstanding commitment to workplace safety,” said NVMA President Amanda Hilton. “Every operator and contractor recognized is committed to sending their crew home safely, shift after shift. More than recognizing strong safety records, these awards reflect the shared responsibility and effort that define our industry.”
Operator Safety Awards are based on Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) data from the previous year. The evaluation considers factors such as employees on site, total hours worked in 2025, penalties for lost-time accidents, reportable incidents and lost-time days. Several recipients also achieved the industry's "triple zero" designation, meaning they completed the year without a reportable injury, restricted duty case or lost-time incident.
Additionally, the Contractor Safety Awards honor third-party companies whose employees work alongside mine operators across Nevada. Five contractors were recognized this year, reflecting high standards of safety and collaboration.
Award recipients will be recognized, along with the 45 winners of the 2026 Individual Safety Awards, during the Celebration of Excellence at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. The awards ceremony is part of the Nevada Mining Association's annual convention, and will take place on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The three-day event brings together mine operators, contractors, suppliers and other industry professionals for networking, educational presentations, a reverse expo, golf tournament and discussions on issues affecting Nevada's mining industry.
According to NVMA, recognizing strong safety performance is one way they encourage mines to continue improving workplace practices. The annual awards program highlights successful safety efforts, promotes the exchange of effective strategies and reinforces the importance of making worker safety a priority throughout Nevada's mining industry.
For more information about the NVMA and its commitment to safety, visit www.nevadamining.org.
The 2026 NVMA Operator Safety Award Winners:
Aggregate
1st Ames Construction Inc.
Ames Backfill Portable Crusher
1st Granite Construction Company
Lockwood Quarry
1st Western Nevada Materials
Spanish Springs Quarry
Non-Metals
1st Arcosa Specialty Materials
Arcosa Adams Claim #1850
1st Empire Mining Company
Empire Mine
1st Lhoist North America
Amargosa Quarry and Plant
1st U.S. Silica Company
Clark Operations
1st U.S. Silica Company
Colado Mine
1st U.S. Silica Company
Colado Plant
1st U.S. Silica Company
Fernley Operations
Surface - Large (300+)
1st KGHM International
Robinson Operation
2nd SSR Mining
Marigold
3rd Nevada Gold Mines
Twin Creeks
Surface - Medium (100-299)
1st McEwen Mining
Gold Bar
Surface - Small (20-99)
1st Mining Americas Inc.
Pan Mine
1st Hycroft Resources
Hycroft Mine
1st Lithium Nevada Corp.
Thacker Pass
1st Kinross Nevada
Bald Mountain South Operation
1st i-80 Gold
Ruby Hill Mine
Underground - Large (300+)
1st Nevada Gold Mines
Cortez
2nd Nevada Gold Mines
Turquoise Ridge
3rd Nevada Gold Mines
Leeville
Underground - Medium (100-299)
1st Nevada Gold Mines
Exodus
2nd Nevada Gold Mines
Pete Bajo
Underground - Small (20-99)
1st i-80
Granite Creek
1st Nevada Gold Mines
El Nino
1st Kinross Nevada
Round Mountain Underground
The 2026 NVMA Contractor Safety Awards
Small Mine Development (SMD)
Leeville
Small Mine Development (SMD)
North Post - Meikle Underground
Small Mine Development (SMD)
Rita K
Cementation USA Inc.
Gold Rush Underground
GenX Mining Contractors
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