Mining Incidents

Drake CementMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by UNACEM Corp S A A
Paulden, Yavapai County, AZ · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0203243
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
78
Years on record
2009–2026
Latest incident
Apr 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

78 on file

2026 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

The employee was attempting to calibrate the TA duct damper with a manual handle. While operating the gate with the LCB, the damper was moved to a fully open position. The employee applied firm pressure to move the manual operation handle, the counterweight pulled down, and the handle began spinning rapidly in an uncontrollable manner with heavy force.

2025 · 3 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

EE stated they were collecting quality control samples from the stage 6 sample port when they were splashed by hot material on their left hand, burning through the glove.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The mechanic was climbing out of a small man door after making repairs to the chute when the angle grinder they were using inadvertently turned on, cutting the employee's arm. The employee was taken to the hospital for treatment and returned to work today. Installing another door for safer access to the chute.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was clearing the opening of a vertical discharge pipe for the Cement Kiln Dust (CKD). The discharge of previous ckd had prevented the flow of discharge and had created a back-up. Employee used a rake to remove blockage at which point the material quickly flowed from pipe causing ckd to go airborne dusting the employee. The employee inhaled the material.

2024 · 7 incidents

Struck by flying object

The employee while repairing an excavator bucket, after finishing a welding EE proceeded to clean it with a metal wire brush attached to an air grinder, a piece of metal ricochet inside the employee welding helmet used as face shield and got in EE's left eye, welding helmet had a crack from where is presumed the foreign body may entered

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was notching skirting for bolts while kneeling and cutting toward self received a laceration requiring stitches.

Struck against a moving object

While operating the loader, the operator was on the way to the stockpile to get a bucket of material, the teeth of the bucket dug into the ground causing the loader to stop suddenly, projecting the operator into the windshield, cracking the windshield and hurting the operator's forehead and neck.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

High heat warning for Yavapai county last ten days. Employee had been fasting for 24 hours prior contributed to this event. Employee received two staple to close a wound on the head.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was working in raw mill duct with vac tube. EE was on hands and knees and turned around inside the duct which caused retractable lifeline cable wrapped around ankle. When EE crawled forward caused EE to fall forward impacting one rib on left side from raised metal lip around door entry. Hairline fracture diagnosis.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The worker and a coworker were unloading an empty plastic tote from a pickup truck. Doing that, the worker felt a pull in left biceps. The worker got first aid and continued working thinking that was a simple contraction due to cold weather. The worker was still in discomfort and after an MRI scan, EE was diagnosed with a disruption of the distal bicep on 2/9/24, requiring surgery.

Fall down stairs

The employee suffered a grand mal seizure (employee has history of grand mal seizures) that caused EE to fall down a set of steel steps, hitting EE's head and requiring stitches.

2023 · 7 incidents

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

Maintenance Mechanics (R) hand was caught between the flange of a level indicator pipe for a knife gate and the housing of the Raw Mill Roll Press during maintenance activities to repair the knife gate. The equipment was locked out but the gate was not blocked/secured to prevent movement.

Struck against stationary object

The employee was pulling on an oil fill hose to wrap it up and hit elbow against a concrete block.

Struck by flying object

Employee was working on the burn deck, trying to close the burn pipe door on the kiln, when a gust of wind blew fiberglass insulation material into the employees right eye. The employee was taken to an ophthalmologist, given a prescription antibiotic and was told to be off-work for one day.

Struck by flying object

On April 3rd, 2023. Employee was working on the second floor of the preheat tower installing conduit and wiring for the new kiln gas analyzer. The wind picked up around mid-morning suspending a lot of fugitive dust and debris making it airborne. The employee's eyes became irritated from the airborne particles.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was inside the coal silo, conducting clean-up duties with another employee, when they became unconscious due to elevated CO levels.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Medical determination that employee suffered occupational illness (asthma) from exposure to hazardous gases during work and subsequent rescue activities of another employee from the Plant's Coal Silo.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

During the process of cleaning up after maintenance work on the Crusher, the employee hoisted a tool bucket over EE's shoulder and then attempted to lift the welder, in order to carry everything out of the Crusher area at one time. The employee felt the pain immediately in their ribcage area.

2022 · 5 incidents

Rubbed or abraded

NO PARTICULAR EVENT OR INCIDENT AT WORK CAUSED EE'S KNEE TO START HURTING HOWEVER EE HAD BEEN DOING A FAIR AMOUNT OF KNEELING AND CROUCHING PERFORMING GROUND CHECK INSPECTIONS AND THE FOLLOWING DAY EE WOKE UP WITH PAINFUL SWOLLEN KNEE INFECTED (SEPTIC BURSITIS)

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

SEPARATING GEARBOX FROM MOUNTING TO MOTOR GEARBOX MOUNT. FORKLIFT WAS BEING USED TO SUPPORT DURING DISASSEMBLY, WHEN GEARBOX WAS UNBOLTED FROM MOUNT THE FRAME KICKED BACK STRIKING EMPLOYEE KNOCKING EMPLOYEE UP AGAINST FORKS ON THE FORKLIFT CAUSING BRUISING TO STOMACH

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

PERSONNEL ATTEMPTED TO USE SKID STEER TO MOVE COAL OVERSIZED TIPSTER INTO LOAD & HAUL POSITION. OPERATOR LOWERED THE BUCKET ONTO THE TIPSTER WITHOUT SEEING PARTNERS HAND IN A PINCH SQUEEZE BETWEEN THE TWO RESULTING IN A PARTIALLY CRUSHED RIGHT PINKY FINGER.

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

Employees were attempting to level the base of a scaffold. While trying to level the base, concrete clinker material of various sizes broke loose from the sides of the cyclone. A piece of the material struck the employee on the left pinky finger crushing it between the clinker and scaffold material. The employee underwent surgery where pins were placed in EE's finger.

Struck by flying object

After turning off the loaded bucket elevator the back stop failed and the bucket elevator overspeed backwards which overspeed the fluid coupling causing it to explode. Pieces from the fluid coupling struck EE in the back. The pieces broke EE's ribs and ruptured EE's spleen and bruises.

2021 · 5 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Clinker cooler baghouse compartment #2. Inspecting bags for damage. Entered top of #2 compartment, Removed #2 compartment hatch cover. Stacked the hatch cover on top of the adjacent hatch covers. Crossed the top of the stacked hatch covers stepping off landed on right leg, slightly off balance and harder than expected impact, injuring back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Worker was cutting conveyor belt with box cutter style knife & pulled knife into calf of right leg causing a laceration

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Secured cable by wrapping control rope around hand to aid in controlling whip once cable cut for West Kiln Feed bucket elevator. Although the cable was restrained it was not tied to the point of connection allowing a distance of approx. 8"" to 10"" drop. Pulled hands, hurting right hand.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Replacing air cannon from the firing head to lower down to scaffolding. While lowering air cannon weighed more than thought pulling a muscle straining right shoulder.

Struck by flying object

Employee was installing steel members with rigging without using proper procedures at new silo, causing a hook to slip and impact employee. Employee was taken to the hospital, X-ray determined a fractured jaw. Employee was not trained in proper rigging procedures.

2020 · 1 incident

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

opening door to A building, Door suddenly shut catching left index finger on the hinge

2019 · 6 incidents

Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

Gear box of shaker screen at crusher system, loosening bolts with torque wrench when middle left hand finger got between wrench and bolt pinching finger causing laceration.

Struck by falling object

Cutting a steel plate and on final cut it dropped towards the ground and contacted EE's knee.

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

WHILE PINNING AND PLATING THE BAUXITE WEIGH FEEDER, WAS SWINGING SLEDGE HAMMER AND IT GLANCED OFF AND DOWN SMASHING EMPLOYEE'S FINGER INTO THE LIP OF THE BAUXITE DOOR

Struck by falling object

Employee was welding in the cement cooler. A piece of refractory broke from the wall, fell about 15 ft. and struck the employee on the hard hat and neck. The employee suffered a closed head injury and neck sprain.

Struck by falling object

Employee was welding in the cement cooler. A piece of refractory broke from the wall, fell about 15 ft. and struck the employee on the hard hat, neck and shoulder. The employee suffered a broken scapula, neck sprain and contusions,

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Working on Raw Mill Sampler pinch tip of left index finger causing laceration

2018 · 1 incident

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

Adjusting the forklift tines and the middle finger on right hand got pinched in between the tine and fright guard

2016 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received 2 lacerations on the right hand from a hand tool while troubleshooting a motor sensor.

Struck by flying object

Shooting out coating in the Calciner Loop duct, Day was windy and dust got in Left eye.

2015 · 2 incidents

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

Employee was removing a metal liner and caught right thumb between liner and mill shell. Employee was taken to clinic and diagnosed with a fractured thumb and received sutures.

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

The JTT miner had not noticed the pressure gauge of the kiln rig jack system had broken. The JTT miner over pressurized the jack causing it to break. This caused the brick to pinch the tip of the left middle finger between the brick and jack.

2014 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Manually closing T/A Damper with hand crank, crank started spinning on its own and hit right hand.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Filled 5 gal. buckets and carried them to the discharge of the lanes. From there filled a wheel barrel and carried that to the back end of the cooler. When picking up buckets of clinker felt pain in abdomen that increased.

Struck against stationary object

Looking ahead did not notice a step in the concrete. Stepped off and felt a sharp pain in right foot

2013 · 4 incidents

Contact with hot objects or substances

Cement Kiln, materials hit two employees

Contact with hot objects or substances

cement kiln, materials hit two employees

Struck against stationary object

Pulling with pry bar, bar slipped and smashed finger

2012 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Dust blew in eyes.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Changing door, door opened and hit employee on hard hat.

2011 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The men were already started on their task for the day, tools and equipment had been laid out to use, the weather changed from overcast to raining. Started to gather up the tools to move them to an inside area, EE was carrying a pony threader, tripped over a cord, fell and the pony threader landed on his finger causing a fracture.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

moving electrical equipment for required maintenance. it toppled pinning employee's hand in the unit

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee had hot material spilled on him when unbeknownst to him the hot - pan con conveyor/feed screw started. Burns on hands,eyes,neck,back.

2010 · 10 incidents

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

A worker received a fracture of the right index finger tip when it was caught in between the fork and back rest on an extend reach fork lift as she was greasing the fork slide bar.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was doing demolition of conduit and noticed a gradual onset of low back pain.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Pulling wire and had a gradual onset of right shoulder pain. He was working at full duty until surgery was performed on 1/6/11, which is when this injury became reportable. He did not lose time from work.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While lifting a generator off of a cart, he felt pain in his stomach. It resulted in an umbilical hernia, which required surgical repair. He returned to light duty work on his next scheduled day.

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

As employee was opening the conterweighted door on an air slide valve box, the door suddenly closed and caught his finger between the door and frame. The result of this incident is a fracture to the tip of his right ring finger.

Struck by falling object

EE had finished grinding handrail. He lifted his face shield and debris fell into his right eye.

Fall onto or against objects

EE was descending stairs he was constructing. He missed the bottom step and struck his left leg on iron.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee allegedly picked up a cinder block (8""x8""x12"") when he complained of pain to his left arm.

Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was placing bolts in airduct flange on top of bag house. He slid off bag house, approximately 4 ft. His fall protection PPE kept him from falling to the ground. His right shoulder was dislocated when his arm was entangled in the lanyard.

Fall down stairs

EE was walking down stairs when he lost his balance after his right foot slipped causing him to fall down stairs.

2009 · 16 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was in the process of installing bracing to support rebar column on the pre-heater building. As EE was supporting the brace he stated he felt a pain in his left shoulder.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a 4 1/2"" grinder with a cutoff disc attached to dress a bolt on a flange. While cutting excess metal from the flange, the cutoff disc jammed or caught on the flange, causing a portion of the cutoff disc to disintegrate and strike the employee causing a laceration to his left leg.

Struck by falling object

EE was welding in a kneeling position in an additive tunnel. A co-worker walking past EE lost his footing and grabbed an unsecure angle iron conveyor brace to stop his fall. The co-worker fell across the EE's upper back and shoulders with the angle iron brace.

Struck against stationary object

EE was unhooking the crane hook from the rigging when he bumped his elbow against the metal frame work of the man basket.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was walking to a meeting when he fell, striking his right knee on the ground. This became reportable on 12/23/09 after MRI results.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE right hand became caught between 2""x6"" lumber and a rebar bundle.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was walking back to the office and got stung by a bee.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE had placed tubing on the shoring planks, he forgot they were there and he turned around and stepped on the tubing and slipped. As he caught himself he over extended his shouder.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lowering a beam from the blend silo shoring system when the rigging he was using slipped. EE grabbed the beam with his right hand causing his right bicep to over-extend.

Fall onto or against objects

EE was in the process of erecting shoring jacks. Strong gust of wind tipped section of shoring jack causing EE to fall.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While using a recipricating saw, the employee's left hand was pulled forward when the saw jerked causing a laceration to the left middle finger.

Struck by falling object

EE was connected to the side of a Meva form when a coworker accidently removed the support pole causing the EE and form to fall.

Struck by flying object

EE was on fire watch when debris from a welder grinding flew into EE's right eye

Fall onto or against objects

EE lost balance at ground level and fell on a horizontal crossbar. (DATE OF 4/6, CCC GROUP, INC. WAS NOTIFIED THIS PROJECT WAS UNDER MSHA JURISDICTION. This is the reason for reporting this incident at a later date. Reportable incidents will now be reported in a timely manner within the 10 day period.)

Contact with hot objects or substances

While cutting material in windy conditions, slag became lodged in the fold of shirt and it caught on fire. (DATE OF 4/6, CCC GROUP, INC. WAS NOTIFIED THIS PROJECT WAS UNDER MSHA JURISDICTION. This is the reason for reporting this incident at a later date. Reportable incidents will now be reported in a timely manner within the 10 day period.)

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Injury was relocating a desk; during movement, the desk slipped and caught his left forearm. He resulted in laceration of his left forearm. He received first aid and was transported to Chino Valley Urgent Care facility; 2 deep stitches and 4 surface stitches were required to close the wound.