Welder (Non-Shop)

Employee was found entangled in conveyor 12 tail pulley. Responding authorities pronounced the employee deceased. Incident is still under investigation.

On March 5, 2025, at 10:55 a.m., Juan Maciel, a 57-year-old welder with over seven years of mining experience, died when he became entangled in a belt conveyor tail roller. The accident occurred because the mine operator did not de-energize and block the No. 12 belt conveyor against hazardous motion.

1. The mine operator did not de-energize and block the No. 12 belt conveyor against hazardous motion.

   Corrective action: The mine operator developed and implemented a revision to the Lock and Tag-out procedure. This revision includes labeling all belt conveyors and tailpieces, and visual confirmation of miners working in the areas prior to starting the equipment. The mine operator trained all miners on the revision, which emphasizes verification prior to starting the equipment.

Read the full report (PDF)

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Machine Maintenance

Subunit / location

STRIP, QUARY, OPEN PIT

Accident type

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

Source of injury

BELT CONVEYORS

Nature of injury

CRUSHING

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

7 years

Experience at this mine

2 years

Experience in this job

7 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY