Mining Incidents

Carlota Copper CompanyMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by KGHM Polska Miedz S A
Miami, Gila County, AZ · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0202653
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
52
Years on record
2007–2024
Latest incident
Dec 2024
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

52 on file

2024 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While EE was grinding, the grinding disc caught something on the blade, the grinder reacted in EE's hands and twisted in a way that caught EE's left glove/index finger in-between guard and grinding wheel.

2022 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

While analyzing total copper in ore sample the dry dirt off the hot plate popped up and struck employees eye.

2019 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting 8"" pipe when EE felt sudden severe stomachache and burning in the abdomen area.

2018 · 2 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was kneeling on equipment step, went to reposition self and in a twisting motion injured lower back. Employee was in considerable pain and had to be taken to medical facility.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was moving stacked cathodes on a chain conveyor, using a vertical bar braced by the conveyor frame as a stop and using the conveyor in reverse to attempt to re align a skewed stack of cathodes - the top of the middle finger on left hand was caught between the bar and the stack of cathodes. The top of the finger was de-gloved, the tip of the finger was amputated.

2015 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

employee was being dropped off at her truck when she slipped on ice and hit her right shoulder on the door of the van

2014 · 3 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Officer returned from patrol and noticed that other officer on duty did not look well. Asked officer questions, but the officer answered in a confused manner. First responders were called, 911 was called, but since 911 had trouble figuring out location first responders drove officer to hospital. First responders said she had a heart attack.

Struck against stationary object

Employee lost grip of pump pulled left hand hitting the steel bracket holding steel line causing a laceration to hand

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING OFF OF A STACKED SLOPE AND STEPPED/TRIPPED ON A ROCK AND FELL. EMPLOYEE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION ON 01/15/2014. RESTRICTED DUTY ASSIGNMENT.

2013 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking down the stairs when he reached the last step he twisted his right knee.

Fall from machine

Employee twisted right ankle on the last ladder rung while dismounting equipment which caused falling to the ground and breaking the fall with right wrist

Struck against stationary object

Employee was removing the accumulator on haul truck 203 when he went to leave his hand on the accumulator roller, the pressure switch wire lug caught his right wrist causing a 3-4 inch laceration. Employee received stitches.

2012 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was replacing the hub and rotor assembly from the truck spindle. When employee was positioning the hub and rotor assembly back on the truck the hub assembly slid and employee caught his hand between the brake rotor and the brake caliper. Employee didn't seek medical attention until 11-13-12.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating TM machine while attempting to shift the last reject with copper using a fiberglass bar -- the bar clipped out causing his right wrist to rotate on the bar and overextended the wrist. Employee did not seek medical treatment until 9-16-2012

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was preparing her lunch when she lacerated her left index finger.

2011 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee went over to the north side of the TM to remove a blank that had fallen out of the guides. While employee was pulling up on the blank he suddenly felt pain in his lower back.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Driller Helper was removing fittings from the station pump with a pipe wrench. The wrench lost bite and the helper landed on his back. He continued working for several days, but decided to see a physician on 10/10/2011.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was driving down haul road when his truck started gaining speed and the employee was unable to gain control of the truck causing him to hit the berm and became airborne - the truck impacted the bench below causing the truck to bounce and spin to the right resting on its tires.

2010 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was using a hammer/hatchet to remove nodule from a cathode, when the hammer kicked out, causing pain to the employees wrist. EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION UNTIL 11-22-2010.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was being loaded with material when a boulder hit the windshield jarring the employee.

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE A LIP PROTECTOR FROM LOADER BUCKET - HE WAS WORKING IT OFF THE LIP WITH A HAMMER AND A PIECE OF METAL CAME OFF STRIKING EMPLOYEE IN THE INNER THIGH.

Struck against a moving object

HUMAN FACTOR POSSIBLE MEDICAL EPISODE

2009 · 7 incidents

Fall from machine

Worker had finished fueling a Cat 14h motor grader, while dismounting the machine using the steps, his right foot slip off the last step resulting in a sprained right ankle.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

None known - sitting outside of security office when employee was bitten by an unknown insect.

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING A STEEL WEDGE FROM BUCKET PIN, WHEN IT CAME LOOSE AND STRUCK THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT HAND.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 5/20/09 worker climbed down the ladder of a Hitachi EX1800 Hydraulic shovel in order to check the level of the hydraulic oil in the tank. He turned at the bottom of the steps and twisted his left knee. The worker reported the incident to his foreman but did not seek immediate treatment. The worker asked to see a physician on May 22nd and was diagnosed with a sprained left knee.

Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS REPLACING TRACKS ON THE SHOVEL WHEN A PIECE OF METAL SHAVING HIT HIS RIGHT THIGH.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While cleaning out the bed of maintenance truck employee went to pull the ladder that was between the weld machine and the truck bed, he yanked on it and felt a pull in his upper left shoulder

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A bundle of cathode struck the stairway while the employee was on the second stair thread from the top causing him to sprain his right ankle.

2008 · 16 incidents

Flash burns (welding)

Employe was standing behind co-worker while co-worker was welding and received flash burn to his eyes. EMPLOYEE RECEIVED EYE DROPS FOR TREATMENT. ***EMPLOYEE DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION UNTIL 12-27-08. EMPLOYEE WAS ON DAYS OFF UNTIL 1/2/09.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using floor jack and dunage to straighten a clip on truss, dunage slipped striking employee in the face.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee (Water Truck Driver)was next to the water valve at the Kline Water Station. As he stood up to to turn off the water valve, his right foot slipped from underneath him causing him to fall forward striking his left knee on the ground. He sustained a factured tibia.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Sat down for break at 9:00 am. Felt dizzy, shortness of breath and had chest pains. Layed on floor until paramedics arrived.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was installing elec. underground. When he was getting out of trench he twisted his left knee.

Fall from ladders

Employee was on a power pole when his boot cleat lost grip due to a crack in the wood pole causing him to slip 15 to 20 feet to the ground.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was tightening bolts with tone gun in 400 area, he lost his footing and slipped. Employee placed his left hand on beam, between tone gun handle, pinching his left index finger. Employee panicked and pulled hand out, lacerating left index finger.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was tightening bolts with tone gun in 400 area, he lost his footing and slipped, he placed his right hand between tone gun handle and pinched his right ring finger. Employee panicked and pulled finger out, lacerating finger.

Struck against a moving object

The employee who was injured was operating a 240 ton haul truck and was being loaded by a hydraulic shovel when the bucket struck the top portion of haul trucks canopy bed (drivers side). The next day the operator stated that his shoulders hurt due to the haul truck being jarred when the bucket struck the truck.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pulled left testicle inguinal ligament while deploying 80 MIL LLDPE when a gust of wind came up and blew out liner. He had a tight grip on it and this caused him to be pulled out of position, resulting in a strain on ligament. Return to work 5/13/08 with light duty restriction until 5/15/08. He remains on light duty restriction to date.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working out of a 60' boom lift installing a side wall steel brace angle. He was using a sleever bar to locate the hole alignment when it slipped out of the hole and the brace angle hit him on the wrist, dislocating it.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Deplaying liner, EE was holding front corner of panel when pulley broke loose. This sent rope into his right shin, flipping and causing him to land on his right shoulder and head. The result was a bruised shin, bump on the head, and pain in right shoulder. He was discharged by dr on 4/22/08, cleared for work next day with light duty for one week/limit us of right leg/shoulder

Fall onto or against objects

While pouring a concrete slab, he slipped in wet cement. As he tried to catch himself from slipping, he struck his right hand against the rebar mat on slab. He continued working rest of day to end of his shift and return to work on 4/7/08.

Fall from machine

Employee fell off the truck while unloading a propane bottle from the bed of the vehicle. (Turned injury in on 04/15/2008)

Fall onto or against objects

Employee slipped while walking on slope and got his foot caught underneath a loader bucket

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped and fell while walking on the liner

2007 · 7 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was opening valve to fill water truck. Valve was operated by a pull chain. Valve was stuck, employee gave the chain a fast pull causing slack to hit little finger of left hand.

Fall from machine

Employee was mounting equipment when his hand slipped off the handrail and he jarred his right leg as he fell.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee cut finger on left hand while replacing fuel filter.

Struck against stationary object

Driller helper was assisting in loading a pneumatic drill hammer onto service vehicle, when hand slipped and pinkie finger was pinched where hammer was designed to close causing injury.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was getting a part to install on a new haul truck. He picked up the part and he smashed his finger between the part and the handrail.

Struck by powered moving object

Employee & co-worker were organizing the laydown yard, including stacking 16"" culverts. EE was lifting from one end of the 20 ft culvert while the co-worker was lifting from the opposite end. While lifting, EE felt pain in his lower back. He reported the accident to his Supervisor the next day 6-13-07 but did not seek treatment until 6-22-07. Diagnosed with lumbar muscle strain.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Installing right tire on Komastu WA 1200 front end loader, lock ring that was being installed, slipped hitting the employee on the left index finger, severing it.