Mining Incidents

Active Minerals Kaolin DivisionMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by J M Huber Corp
Gordon, Wilkinson County, GA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0900959
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
61
Years on record
2001–2025
Latest incident
Jun 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

61 on file

2025 · 4 incidents

Struck against a moving object

Loader Operator backed down the feed ramp for the mill with a loader as a contractor dump truck was backing into the bay perpendicular to that ramp. The dump truck struck the side of the loader tire and counterweight shifting it to the right and in the process strained the muscles in operator's lower back.

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

Dump truck was being loaded with dry clay. The clay was leaking out of areas of the tailgate. Employee attempted to shove the tailgate closed. When the employee attempted to close the tailgate EE's right middle finger was caught between the truck bed and tailgate.

Struck by flying object

Employee was placing paper bags on 50 lb. bagger spout when the bag on the spout to EE's right ruptured. The bag ruptured in such a way that the clay was directed towards the right side of the employee's head. This dislodged EE's safety glasses and got clay in EE's eye.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee's shoe became untied and employee tripped as a result. Upon hitting the ground during the call, the employee's glasses broke and cut employee's right eyebrow.

2024 · 3 incidents

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

Rain caused the kaolin clay to become slick causing the forklift to slide into a handrail on a ramp.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling a hose out of a cam-lock coupler. When they were pulling up on the hose they felt a pop in their back. The employee was taken to the emergency room where they were placed on restrictive duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to open a butterfly valve on a product line. The employee forced the valve to open and when it broke free EE felt a pop in EE's shoulder and some discomfort in EE's right shoulder blade and index finger. Employee was treated by an occupational clinic and place under restricted duty.

2023 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Employee was cleaning out a clay feeder/shredder where a process upset had damaged the feeder/shredder. While cleaning out the clay from behind a bent door assembly, the employee lacerated their forearm on a jagged piece of metal. First aid was administered and employee was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

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

EE was using a hammer to hit the outside of the hopper to get clay to feed. EE got finger caught between the hammer handle and the hopper causing a non-displaced fracture of the right index finger phalanx.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was lancing bridged material from mill feed hopper. They stepped back from the hopper and felt a pop in left knee and felt a sharp pain. Employee was standing on deck grating and did not step on any spillage.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping off of the scale platform on a bulk bagger when the heel of EE's left boot caught the edge causing EE to roll EE's ankle.

2022 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was stacking 50 lb. bags when they felt a pop in their shoulder and felt pain. Employee strained a muscle and tendon in left bicep.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was found unresponsive in employee's vehicle in the company parking lot the morning of February 16th, 2022 approx 8:30 am. 911 was called as was MSHA's immediately reportable hotline. Victim was pronounced deceased by the Coroner 9:00 am. The employee passed away of natural causes in the vehicle. An MSHA inspector from the MSHA Macon office performed the investigation.

2021 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

Temp bagger stepped backwards off of bulk bagging platform and twisted ankle.

2020 · 3 incidents

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slipped on clay while cleaning up at the end of the shift.

Struck by falling object

During a dust collector bag change the miner bent over to pick up a tool. EE's hard hat fell off and EE was struck on top of the head by a falling bag cage. Miner received a laceration requiring three staples.

Struck by flying object

While performing regular maintenance on the roller mill, a particle of dust entered the employee's eye, causing irritation.

2019 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was horse playing and fell backward injuring EE's knee.

2018 · 3 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

The employee slipped on top of a bulk truck and lacerated a knee on the latch.

Fall onto or against objects

The employee was hanging a bag from a step platform and lost footing. In an attempt to catch self ee hit knee on the bagger scale.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Slippery/Wet surface.

2017 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Driver turning landing gear handle on trailer, handle sprung back and struck driver on eye brow and eye lid causing laceration.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pulled muscle in lower back.

2016 · 4 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Elliott employee was disassembling a machine for repairs. A piece that was believed to be secured unexpectedly moved. Employees right hand was pinched between part and stationary object resulting in a laceration to palm of hand at base of index finger. Cut required nine stitches to close.

Struck by falling object

While removing a gearbox it fell on employee's hand causing an abrasion and swelling

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Missed a stair coming down the steps and sprained ankle

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

Dump trailer tailgate

2015 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

The employee was closing the bottom gate of the hopper when he fell. When falling the bar used to open the gate landed on his finger smashing it.

2014 · 4 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

The employee was exiting the loader when his right foot slipped off the top step. When his right foot slipped off the step his right knee struck the top step.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was walking when he slipped causing him to fall. The employee caught himself with his right elbow causing a fracture.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee slipped and fell causing a contusion to his leg and his right elbow.

2013 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee stated that his wrist was hurting. The results ware his wrist was sprung.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While working on a pulley taking bolts out employee allegedly got bitten by some type of insect. The insect was never seen. Employee went to the doctor and it was determined the area of the bite needed medical treatment.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee slip and fall coming down the ramp by #4 Mill.

Struck against stationary object

Employee reported that he bumped his left knee on a railcar ladder.

2011 · 5 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was cutting a bag scrap,when the knife cut though the scrap and cut his left thumb.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across the railroad tracks lost his balance, and fell breaking his fibula on his right leg.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was weighing 50lb bags. When he stepped backwards, he stepped on an uneven area and lost his balance and fell on the surface he was standing on.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was sweeping up around the bagging machine at a lower level, when he stood up he felt something snap in his lower back. After the investigation, it was determined the employee strained his lower back.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was trying to remove the cover off number eight silo air slide. During this time is when the employee felt a sharp pain in his lower back. Diagnosis, were lumber strain.

2010 · 4 incidents

Struck against stationary object

Emplyee was operating bulk bag machine when he turned to walk away from the bagging system. He struck his right hand on the I-Beam that supports the bagger and his right knuckle was cut.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was inspecting the seal on a butterfly valve on the reject transporter. Employee failed to cut off air supply valve resulting in butterfly valve closing on his right hand.

Struck against stationary object

Miner was cleaning clay out of a cage mill when he struck his right arm above his wrist on a worn cage mill blade cutting his arm.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee removed a cap from 6-inch product line and stuck his hands in a rotor air lock pinching the tip of his fingers on his left hand. His index and middle finger.

2008 · 4 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Employee placed a ladder on the side of a burner to relace cover on J-box. The ladder slipped and fell while employee was getting on top of the burner. Employee fell with ladder. When he fell, he had 1 foot on top of the burner and one foot on the ladder when he slipped. Employee injured his left heel.

Fall onto or against objects

The rain storm knock the power out, causing the lights to go out employee was walking across to pull a roll up door down and slipped and fall at the door brusing his left arm.

Struck by powered moving object

Employee was standing, looking at pressure gauge, when fork lift driver was backing up . Employee turned into fork lift, hitting his right knee on counter wt.

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee bent over to pull release handle on dumper ,and pulled a muscle in his lower back.

2007 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Railcar Loading Operator was releasing the brakes without using the brake release lever. The Operator was loosening the brakes by turning the brake wheel counter clockwise. The Operator pulled a groin muscle while trying to loosen the brakes on the railcar.

2006 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was assigned to stack paper bags filled with 50 pounds on pallets 12 rows high. While stacking the top row, the employee lifted a 50-pound bag from a waist-high position, moved to his right and lifted to a head-high position to toss the bag across the stack and to the far corner of the stack. At that time, he felt something `pop? in his right shoulder.

2005 · 4 incidents

Struck by flying object

Employee was assisting in installing bearings on a lab pulverizer. Another employee was tapping the bearing down the shaft by placing a ball peen hammer on the bearing and striking the ball side of the hammer with a claw hammer. A piece from the claw hammer fractured off and hit employee in the chest.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was driving a forklift on a sloped bank with a 2400 pound bulk bag at an elevated position. The employee was injured with no damage to the forklift. Employee was confined in the operator compartment.

Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

Employee was climbing a stationary ladder to a wash down platform, slipped and fell 12' to the ground landing on his feet and falling onto the ground. Employee was diagnosed with a fractured left heel.

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

Drilling Rig Operator was raising Core Barrel through Turntable. As the Drilling Rig Assistant, grabbed the Core Barrel with his left hand and placed his right hand under the core barrel, the Core Barrel suddenly dropped, pinching the Assistant's right hand between the Kelley Turntable and the bottom of the Core Barrel.

2004 · 3 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE PROCEEDED TO INSPECT THE CLAY SHREDDER. HE TURNED THE SHREDDER OFF BUT DID NOT LOCK IT OUT. THE EE DECIDED TO CLIMB INTO THE SHREDDER TO INSPECT FURTHER. ANOTHER OPERATOR ON THE SHIFT WALKED BY & NOTICED THE SHREDDER WAS OFF & PRESSED THE START BUTTON. THE EE FAILED TO LOCK OUT THE SHREDDER BEFORE PERFORMING WORK ON IT.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting fabric straps that hold bundles of empty bulk bags together. He was cutting by pulling the knife towards his body. When the knife went through the fabric, the knife continued toward him and cut his left arm. He had a 1"" long cut and he received 6 staples and a bandaid.

Fall from machine

Employee was climbing down the ladder from the top of a railcar when a rung of the railcar ladder popped loose and the employee fell 8' to the ground landing on his feet. he was diagnosed with deep bruises in each foot.

2003 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOWERING THE KELLY ON DRILL RIG AND ROD PINCHED HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER.

2001 · 2 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS HOLDING UP LIFT LOOPS ON A BULK BAG WHILE THE FORKLIFT DROVE TO THE BAG. THE EE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE LIFT TRUCK INSTEAD OF TO THE SIDE AND THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE LIFT TRUCK RAM UP ON THE BACK OF THE EES HEEL ON RIGHT FOOT. THERE WAS NO BRUISING OR SWELLING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS CLIMBING DOWN A LADDER, STEPPED ON THE GROUND AND TWISTED HIS KNEE. DR DIAGNOSED AS A SPRAINED KNEE.