According to a preliminary investigation from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration, 38-year-old Phillip Gustafson was fueling a blasthole drill rig at Taft Coal Sales and Associates’ Choctaw mine at about 9.45pm when there was an “ignition/explosion”

“He was airlifted to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” federal officials said.

Gustafson’s 7.5 years of experience were all gained at Choctaw, conducting his primary duties.

The 105-worker bituminous mine is owned by large Alabama producer Walter Energy.

MSHA has commenced an investigation into the incident. It has classified the event as Ignition or Explosion of Gas or Dust.