Nevada Mining Association Names 2026 Safety Award Winners Across 27 Operations, 5 Contractors
ISHN reports that the Nevada Mining Association has named the recipients of its 2026 Mine Operator and Contractor Safety Awards, honoring 27 mine operations and five contractors for safety performance in 2025. The awards are based on MSHA data using a formula that weighs employees on site, total hours worked, lost-time accident penalties, reportable incidents, and lost-time days. Many honorees hit the “triple zero” mark: no reportable injuries, no restricted duty days, and no lost-time incidents.
Winners span categories including aggregate, non-metals, and surface and underground operations of varying sizes. Nevada Gold Mines took multiple placements across underground categories, while contractors Small Mine Development, Cementation USA, and GenX Mining Contractors were recognized for work performed alongside operators. NVMA President Amanda Hilton said the awards reflect “the shared responsibility and effort that define our industry.” All honorees, along with 45 individual safety award recipients, will be recognized at the NVMA’s Celebration of Excellence during its 2026 Convention on September 11 in Lake Tahoe.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Firms bidding into Nevada’s mine construction and services pipeline can cite this list, particularly the five named contractors (Small Mine Development, Cementation USA, GenX Mining Contractors), as a benchmark when positioning safety credentials in RFPs against operators like Nevada Gold Mines and i-80 Gold.
- Underground contractors working leveling, development, or shaft work should note Cementation USA’s Gold Rush Underground recognition and SMD’s three separate wins (Leeville, North Post-Meikle, Rita K) as evidence of what MSHA-verified “triple zero” performance looks like on active Nevada underground sites.
- Companies pursuing subcontract work at recognized operations, including Lithium Nevada’s Thacker Pass, U.S. Silica’s four Nevada facilities, or Nevada Gold Mines’ Cortez and Turquoise Ridge sites, should expect these operators to prioritize contractors with comparable lost-time and incident records when evaluating field crews ahead of the September 11 Lake Tahoe convention.
