Helper in Carbon County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Carbon Fuel Company #2 Mine
Photographed by Braden Orr, January 25, 2025
1. Carbon Fuel Company #2 Mine Marker
The mine was opened in 1916 by George Diamanti as Hardscrabble Coal Company which was operated by Utah Fuel. By 1963 after numerous name and ownership changes, the mine was owned and operated as Carbon Fuel Company.
On December 16, 1963 at 11:50 AM a violent explosion occurred which took the lives of 9 miners. One miner Jesus Nunez Price, who was 2400 feet from the explosion was thrown 200 feet, but walked to the mine entrance and was taken to Carbon Hospital in Price. He survived but 9 other miners died.
The Miners that died in the explosion were:
Mike Ardohain Victor Fossat Andy Juvan Archie Larsen Heino Linn aka Henio Liin Benino Montoya Gerald Nielsen John Senechal Jr. Benjamin Valdez
Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus
Matt Warner Chapter No. 1900
Dedicated July 14, 2012
6017, The Year of Our Order
Erected 2012 by E Clampus Vitus Matt Warner Chapter #1900.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 16, 1963.
Location. 39° 41.627′ N, 110° 51.711′ W. Marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rolapp / Royal (here, next to this marker); Rainbow Inn (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); WPA - PWA (approx. half a mile away); Coal City (approx. half a mile away); Sweets Coal Company - Consumers - National (approx. half a mile away); Liberty Fuel - Latuda, Utah (approx. half a mile away); Peerless / New Peerless (approx. half a mile away); Western Springs Canyon - Rains - Mutual (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helper.
Also see . . . 1963 Dec 16, Carbon No. 2 coal mine, methane gas/coal dust explosion . Excerpt from the Bureau of Mines report:
Bureau of Mines: This report is based on an investigation made in accordance with provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U.S.C. Secs. 451-483).(Submitted on January 25, 2025.)
A gas and coal-dust explosion occurred in the No. 2 mine of the Carbon Fuel Company near Helper, Carbon County, Utah, about 12 m., Monday, December l6~ 1963. A total of 21 men was in the mine at the time of occurrence; 9 perished almost immediately, 1 was injured by the forces and required hospitalization, and 11 escaped uninjured .
Bureau of Mines investigators believe that the explosion originated at the face of No. 4 dip entry,fifth west dip section, where an explosive mixture of methane, air, and coal dust was ignited by frictional sparks from the bits of the continuous miner cutting in top rock, or by arcs or sparks from electrical equipment that was in nonpermissible condition. The main forces of the explosion traveled outwardly from the face of No. 4 dip entry throughout the. fifth west dip section, fifth west section, three abandoned rooms east off the dip section and dissipated as they moved along the well, rock-dusted fourth west main entries and main slope.Photographed by Braden Orr, January 25, 20252. Carbon Fuel Company #2 Mine Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2025, by Braden Orr of Helper, Utah. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2025, by Braden Orr of Helper, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
