STILLWATER COUNTY, MT — The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, also serving as the county coroner, has identified Brian Hanson, a 50-year-old resident of Laurel, Montana, as the worker who tragically lost his life in an incident at the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine near Columbus on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The incident, described by mine officials as an electrical accident, occurred early Saturday morning while Hanson was performing routine maintenance on the east side of the underground platinum and palladium mine. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Hanson’s death was due to electrocution. The Montana State Crime Lab is conducting a detailed examination to further clarify the circumstances of the tragedy.
Sibanye-Stillwater, the South Africa-based company that operates the mine, immediately suspended operations following the incident, canceling the night shift on Saturday. Heather McDowell, Vice President of Legal and External Affairs for Sibanye-Stillwater, expressed the company’s grief, stating, “We are heartbroken for the family and for our team members.” The mine remains closed, with operations resuming on a shift-by-shift basis as investigations continue. No timeline has been provided for a full return to normal operations.
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is actively investigating the incident alongside the mine’s internal team to determine the cause of the accident. Sibanye-Stillwater has also sent counselors to the site to support workers affected by the loss, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the mining community.
This marks the fourth fatality at the Stillwater Mine since 2021, making it the only location in Montana to report fatal mining accidents in recent years. Previous incidents include a 2021 accident where two supervisors were killed in a collision with a 20-ton underground locomotive and a 2023 machinery accident that claimed the life of a contractor. Despite recent layoffs, the mine employs approximately 350 workers across various shifts.
Brian Hanson is remembered as a dedicated and valued member of the Stillwater mining community. His untimely death has left a profound impact on his coworkers, friends, and family. As investigations proceed, the community continues to mourn and rally in support of those affected by this tragic loss.