Mining Incidents

King IICoal

GCC Energy LLC · Underground
Controlled by GCC SAB de CV
Hesperus, La Plata County, CO · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0504864
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
84
Years on record
2007–2026
Latest incident
Feb 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

84 on file

2026 · 1 incident

Fall down stairs

After shift ended, employee left the main building to the parking lot where there is one set of stairs before reaching the lower level. It had snowed about 6""-8"" the evening of their shift. Employee slipped on the second to last stair landing on their back. On their way home employee felt a sharp strong pain in their mid-back when moving.

2025 · 2 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

2 NSM XC4, 7 Entry. A roof fall occurred and was found by a weekly mine examiner. Approx. 27 feet long x 17' wide. The fall was above the 7' bolt anchorage zone.

Struck by flying object

Employee lifted a new cutting blade into place on the continuous miner gathering head to weld. A floor jack was used to pressure it into place. The jack extension was side loaded not center loaded causing it to break free, flying out and hitting the employee above the right eye. The extension cut through the right eyebrow onto the eye lid. It required 6 stitches to close it up.

2024 · 1 incident

Accident type, without injuries

5 NM XC 38, Entry 6 to entry 7 a roof fall occurred, was found by a weekly mine examiner. Approx. 26 feet long X 18' wide to the level of the 7' bolt anchorage zone, contained in the Crosscut crushing an intake to return stopping.

2023 · 7 incidents

Contact with electrical current

Fusing HDPE pipe in Beltline, damp rockdust on floor, employee was sweating. Advancing fuser inby, Hand dragging extension cord. Employee stated employee felt a shock in Arm and Upper body. Happened on Tuesday Reported on Thursday.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While pulling pieces of conveyor belting by hand 10'- 13' long, a back strain occurred. Doctor's diagnoses: Acute thoracic back pain.

Struck by powered moving object

A shuttle car operator got stuck. A battery scoop operator pulled it out, the car rolled back down, they started the car and backed up to give chain slack. They bumped the scoop operator with the car on the upper shins. The Maintenance manager took them to the doctor. the X Rays taken revealed that there was a small hairline fracture in the upper right shin.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking around the corner, rolled their ankle on a chunk of coal.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THERE HAD BEEN A SNOW STORM THROUGH THE NIGHT SO A LOADER HAD PUSHED THE TRAVEL WAYS OF THE SURFACE WORK AREAS. EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TO THE ROCK PICKING PLATFORM AND STEPPED ON AN ICY SLICK AREA. EE STATES TWISTED LEFT ANKLE RESULTING IN A SPRAIN INJURY.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

PULLING VENTILATION TUBES TO THE FACE AND TRIPPED ON UNEVEN FLOOR CONDITIONS STRIKING RIGHT KNEE ON A PIECE OF COAL CAUSING A BRUISE AND PAIN\TENDERNESS

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING OTHER CREW MEMBERS PULLING UP 2/0 CONTINUOUS MINER CABLE SLACK, NEXT TO THE POWER CENTER. EMPLOYEE FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN RIGHT CALF, LEG MUSCLE. SPRAINED MUSCLE

2022 · 3 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Got a small piece of coal in eye

Struck against stationary object

The condition of the site was dry. The employee took a shortcut between 2 end sections of the multi-plate. The edges of the multi-plate are sharp. The employee's hand slipped on the sharp edge of the multi-plate causing a laceration on the right ring finger. Requiring 5 stitches.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Walking up the stairs normally, to the Dispatch office. Employee heard their right knee pop and felt a sharp pain on the right knee.

2020 · 3 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee was removing breathing apparatus from the storage case when the unit slipped out of employee's hands. Employee moved quickly downward to catch the unit and while doing so, struck head on the opened lid of the case causing a laceration above the right eye. 5 sutures were required.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pre-shifting belt line, stepped flat footed on a piece of coal or in a hole, hyperextending EE's left knee. Employee returned to regular job at full capacity. Employee's pain increased overtime so employee visited the doctor. MRI results received 9/17/2020 revealed surgery would be required to repair meniscus.

Struck against stationary object

Installing a pony belt-drive at a new location. EE was choked up on a sledge hammer tightening a large wedge on top of cribs in the center of the drive, the rib was 30"" away. EE swung the sledge striking the wedge, the handle bounced back striking EE's left little finger against the frame of the drive, causing a laceration.

2019 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

The continuous miner (CM08) had backed out and was pulling back in for the final car, in the Final. The tail of CM08 was swung to the left, as CM08 started back in the miner helper was caught between the end of CM08 tail and rib. The operator positioned inby was unaware of the miner helpers location. Currently known injuries are broken arm, pelvis and possible organ damage.

Accident type, without injuries

The roof fall was discovered and reported at approximately 3:45pm on 6/27/2019. The contributing factors are unknown other than a roof failure above the anchor horizon. The fall blocked access to an MPL so a ventilation amendment was submitted and approved to relocate the ventilation structure. There was no equipment involved or injury.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Cutting belt with utility knife, cutting towards self and cut left hand.

2018 · 5 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

At 12/31/2018 at 2:35 AM the supervisor discovered a fall in 12 West section XC 6 entry 4. The fall area was just above the anchorage (7 feet), 19 feet wide, 26 feet long. The support was 7 foot fully grouted primary roof support.

Struck by flying object

Was bending bolt downwards. Gloves were muddy, bolt slipped out of hand, springing upwards and striking them on chin and teeth, causing laceration and chipped teeth.

Accident type, without injuries

During evening preshift, the examiner discovered a roof all in the intersection. After visual investigation, estimated size is 32' wide x 22' long x 9' high. 7' fully grouted bolt is the primary roof support.

Struck by flying object

Employee was grinding off metal that had been cut on flop gate. A piece of metal must have got under EE's safety shield and safety glasses, causing an abrasion to eye. Employee did not notice discomfort until EE got home.

Struck against stationary object

EE was reaching across the front end of the scoop ""UL#7"" to access a saw, EE's left knee struck a loose bolt on the machines fender causing a laceration. EE and the supervisor cleaned up the laceration and did first aid, EE later went to the hospital and they closed the laceration with 9 stitches.

2017 · 3 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Mine examiner discovered a roof fall during the course of examining the mine. Felled material was laying against the refuge chamber.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was driving Jeep, turned into 3 South commons and door came open. Employee reached out to catch it and got the left index finger caught in door hinge.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred above the anchorage zone that impedes travel-ways to 1 and 2 South measuring point locations.

2014 · 7 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was helping to repair a miner cable when he cut his left leg with a utility knife.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Injured was dropping shuttle car cable to add to reel. Was using a steel to drop the cable while another employee was pulling out of cable reel. Injured over-extended resulting in strain/hernia to groin.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a knife and cut right leg above knee, requiring 4 stitches.

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

Injured was getting tubes out of the entry; there were 4 tubes hanging on one strap. Injured pushed the tubes to release lever on the tube strap, tubes came down and finger was caught on D-ring.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Shuttle car went down in the last open. Injured and 3 others went to help get the car out of the way. They pulled slack off of the reel to get a scoop behind it. Injured was standing by the cable and the operator turned the car and the cable knocked injured to ground, landing on right shoulder.

Contact with electrical current

Employee was hanging cable when he was shocked. The employee was brought outside and taken to the hospital for observation. The ER physician wants the employee to take a week off as a precaution.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was performing a splice on the shuttle car cable when the utility knife he was using contacted his left index finger causing a laceration requiring stitches.

2013 · 5 incidents

Struck against a moving object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A SHUTTLE CAR WHEN BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING HIM TO HIT HIS RIGHT ELBOW ON THE PANIC BAR.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pulling H/V in tube slipped back, twisted knee.

Struck against stationary object

Stepping off roof bolter with right foot, left foot still on bolter. Stepped on lump of coal with right foot and sprained ankle.

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee reported to work with lower back pain, continued working and at 9:30 PM his bolting partner informed the supervisor employee was in pain. That evening employee went to emergency room.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was bending bolt to put into roof. He was positioned on right side of bolter. Placed bolt between the canopy and roof about halfway down bolt. Proceeded to bend bolt using both hands. Bolt slid to right side of canopy causing employee to lose footing. Bolt slid out of hands striking him under his chin resulting a laceration.

2012 · 11 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was drilling out a hole in a guard. The drill bit caught in the metal causing the drill to catch and twist his arm.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While walking toward controller, employee caught foot on cement pad poured for VFD. Employee caught himself from falling, but twisted back. Did not report injury until 10/10/2012 when he saw doctor. Doctor recommended physical therapy.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Bent to pick up Conspec cable and felt pain in groin area. Employee continued to work until 11/16/12 when he had surgery to repair hernia.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was using a sledge hammer to straighten out bent metal on lid of battery box resulting in lumbar sprain. Employee did not report injury until 7/30/12.

Accident type, without injuries

While traveling the secondary escapeway, an employee noticed that a roof fall had occurred in the intersection measuring approximately 18' wide by 12' long by 7' high. 7' torque tension bolts and trusses were the primary roof support in the fall area.

Accident type, without injuries

An unplanned roof fall at or above the anchorage zone was noticed by a mine examiner during a routine pre shift examination. Mine ventilation was not affected. Escape ways were not affected.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping onto an overcast wall and floor that was suspended by a forklift. There was pressure on the fork of the lift against the rib. When the employee stepped onto the overcast, the fork dislodged and sprung upwards against his leg, causing bruising and laceration to his penis. Did not seek medical attention until next day.

Struck by falling object

Using a drill steel prying on the pot, the pot broke free and steel bounced, striking injured under his chin, causing a tooth to fall out.

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

Employee was bolting on right side of bolter #3. He stated that he had drilled his starter steel into the roof. He put the second drill steel in the box and was lining the 2 steel up. He bumped the feed up the bottom steel missed glancing over to the open jaws where the tip of his left thumb got crushed and tore off his thumb nail.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee backed up to clean right side. It made a loop behind the miner. A car began to approach the continuous miner. Employee wanted to clean going in. He pulled the loop and cable handler over toward himself. As it flipped over a sliver penetrated and lacerated his right hand.

Accident type, without injuries

A planned fall in the gob caused an air displacement that knocked down the stopping at crosscut 32 North mains between 5 & 6.

2011 · 7 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

The preshift mine examiner discovered a roof fall above the anchorage zone in the North Mains, Entry #2, Crosscut 18. The fall measured 14' wide x 16' long x 6-7' high. The area was mined in August, 2008. The area was supported with 6' fully grouted resin roof bolts.

Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall was discovered in crosscut 19, entries 2-3 North Mains. Primary support was 5' fully-grouted roof bolts. The fall was approximately 6' high and 34'long.

Accident type, without injuries

Unplanned roof fall above the anchorage zone. The area was bolted using 7 foot torque tensioned bolts on 5 foot centers or less. Full coverage roof mesh was installed at the time of development.

Accident type, without injuries

At 10:25 AM the mine examiner found a roof fall in XC 38 North Mains #2 entry intersection.

Struck by powered moving object

Injured went to bolter and took a bag of rock dust off the top of the reel compartment. Bolter operator and injured made visual contact. Bolter operator saw injured get the dust; bolter operator turned back to the front and believed that injured left. Bolter operator set the tail down, pinching injured's right foot, causing fracture to great toe and second toe.

Accident type, without injuries

XC 40 of the North Mains #2 entry intersection a roof fall was discovered by the examiner.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall resulted from an undetected splay that led to multiple laminations.

2010 · 6 incidents

Struck by flying object

Dropped miner cable with tension on the drill steel. When cable dropped, tension from the tubing caused the steel to fly back and hit employee in the mouth chipping his tooth.

Struck by falling object

Roof bolter was getting second steel. Hand was on top of drill steel control arms; rock fell out and smashed hand.

Accident type, without injuries

A fire was discovered in the old King I maintenance shop. The cause of the fire is believed to be from metal cutting in or around the building the day before.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall area was between XC 20 and XC 21 #7 entry of the West Submains. The fall was approximately 35' inby XC 20 and is 25' in length and about 35' outby XC 21. The fall averaged 7' in height and 16' in width. The fall area was originally supported with 6' fully-grouted resin bolts, and was fully meshed.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking to the bolter when it was backing out of the entry. As operator was pulling into #2 entry he left his cable reel on, pulling the cable off the roof. The cable swung from one rib to the other, striking employee below the left knee. Employee did not seek medical attention until 4/26/2010.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating the shuttle car,the shuttle car bumper rode up on the miner bumper lifting the tires about 1 foot off the ground. The shuttle car rolled back and fell off the miner bumper causing the employee to bounce and strike his head on the cab of the shuttle car.

2009 · 10 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Operator was operating shuttle car, hit bumb, jammed head into canopy.

Struck against stationary object

EE was getting out of the scoop. He had one foot out of the scoop (left foot), as he was pulling his right leg out of the cab he struck his shin on the cab frame, cutting his shin.

Accident type, without injuries

Area not in active workings. 3-way intersection roof fall in #1 entry of the West Submains between crosscut 14 and 15. Cause of the roof failure is not determined. The dimensions are approximately 35'Lx24'WX7'H. The area was bolted with 6-foot fully-grouted resin bolts with some 7-foot torque tension spot bolts.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was standing on batteries at battery charging station. His hardhat tangled in the mesh and he was attempting to untangle his hat when he fell back, striking his head against a roof bolt, causing a laceration to his scalp.

Accident type, without injuries

Fell on top of the belt power center, 5'Hx12'Wx20'L. Rock was hot to the touch. Power center was vented to return with about 1,000 CFM. Power center lids were bent in, but still operative.

Accident type, without injuries

The continuous miner was cutting the second push on the block between 6 and 5 between 8 and 9 entry, when the roof fell on the continuous miner. No equipment damage and no injuries. Recovery was completed by 6/6/09 5:30 PM.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was at desk in his office, when an insect bit his right elbow. By 6/1/09, the arm was swollen and the bite was infected. Saw doctor on 6/1/09.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee bent into wood crate getting a bucket of monkey plate. Bucket was approx. 60 to 80 pounds, upon lifting bucket from crate, the employe felt a sharp pain. Employee thought it was a pulled muscle or a separated rib.

Struck by falling object

Employee was pushing slider in #4 entry when a piece of roof rock fell and struck him on the right leg causing him to fall and twist right knee.

Accident type, without injuries

At 10:27 AM ee reported a roof fall at crosscut 30 between #6 and #4 entries, taking out intersection in #5 entry.

2008 · 8 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Fall occured at crosscut 25 between 6 and 7 entry taking out a return stopping. The fall was approximately 40 feet long and 5 feet high.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling cable and nip and strained shoulder.

Accident type, without injuries

Fall occurred in crosscut 27 of intersection 2-3. Approximately 24' long, 18' wide, 6-1/2' high.

Accident type, without injuries

Roof fall at crosscut 26 in entry 6. It was the intersection that fell 5'3"" above roof line.

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

Hanging 4"" poly waterline from mine roof. Pipe slipped from cradle position, fell approximately 2 feet, smashing 4th left finger between pipe & Elmac utility vehicle.

Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee stated he felt he was having a heart attack. Shortly after making that statement, employee lost consciousness and was transported via ambulance to the hospital. Employee did not have a heart attack, nor have tests uncovered any illness or injury.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking down walkway on bolter, turned head, striking left ear on plate of bent roof bolt, cutting ear.

Struck by powered moving object

While moving the miner, the employee was hit by the tail of the miner, when he tried to prevent the cable from sliding through the I hook on the tail of the miner. The tail of the miner hit the employee just below the rib cage.

2007 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Sub contract employee (Noel Company) was reaching over to shut down a portable generator, when he hit the switch of a 4"" portable grinder which was nearby. The grinder spun around and struck him in the right hand between the thumb and index finger, resulting in a laceration.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was pushing steel sets forward with miner and a piece of carbide broke off a bit and entered his arm.