A worker at the Greens Creek Mine in Southeast Alaska was fatally mauled by a bear Monday morning.
Troopers got a report of a mauling at the mine, on Admiralty Island, at 8:44 a.m.
Troopers later identified the victim as Anthony David Montoya, 18, of Hollis, Oklahoma.
"Montoya was mauled by a sow and two cubs. All three bears were killed prior to troopers arriving on scene," troopers said.
Brown bears are the only type of bear on Admiralty Island, said Ken Marsh, spokesman for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Montoya was a contract employee with the mine, according to a statement from Mike Satre, spokesman for Hecla Greens Creek Mining Co. Montoya worked for Timberline Drilling, a company based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, which contracts with the mine.
"This is a tragic incident. Bears are regular visitors in and around our workplace, however this is the first time since the mine opened almost 30 years ago that a bear encounter has resulted in an injury of any kind," Satre said.
The mauling happened at a remote drill site that is accessible only by helicopter, Satre said.
Greens Creek Mine primarily produces silver, according to the company's website.