The Operator Safety Awards are determined using data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for the previous calendar year. Recipients are the top-performing mine operators and contractors based on a safety rate formula accounting for employees on site, total hours worked in 2025, penalties for lost-time accidents, reportable incidents and lost-time days. Many of this year’s honorees achieved the coveted “triple zero” distinction, recording no reportable injuries, no days of restricted duty and no lost-time incidents.

Five contractors were also recognized for their role in strengthening Nevada’s industry-leading culture of safety. The Contractor Safety Awards recognize third-party companies whose employees work alongside mine operators across the Silver State, reflecting the collaborative approach that defines the industry.

The annual safety awards are part of the NVMA’s commitment to promoting continuous improvement across the mining industry. By recognizing exemplary safety performance, the NVMA celebrates operational excellence, encourages the sharing of best practices and reinforces the importance of building strong safety cultures at every operation. 

These honorees join the 45 recipients of the 2026 Individual Safety Awards. All honorees will be recognized together at the Celebration of Excellence during the NVMA’s 2026 Convention on Friday, September 11, in Lake Tahoe.

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 Award Winners:

•    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

For more information about the NVMA and its commitment to safety, visit www.nevadamining.org.