Mining Incidents

Sericite Mine Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Charles D Taylor
Blacksburg, Cherokee County, SC  ·  Intermittent
MSHA Mine ID: 3800388

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
23
Years on record
2000–2013
Latest incident
Sep 2013
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
56
citations
9
significant & substantial
$5,143
proposed penalties
$4,680
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q3 1 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 2 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 3 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 3 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 1 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 1 0 0 0.0
2023 Q4 3 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2 0 0 0.0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

23 on file

2013 · 1 incident

September 11, 2013 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

IE was helping the welder attempting to perform a weld-repair to a permanent-magnet frame. The framework of the magnets had slipped and clamped down on EE's finger mashing tip end of pinky finger on left hand.

2012 · 2 incidents

June 18, 2012 SC · Metal/Non-Metal pumper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IE was cutting band on pallet of bags with razor blade box cutter when it cut through and cut left thigh.

May 30, 2012 SC · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IE was getting off Bobcat loader under dust collector which was a close space and felt something pull in right shoulder causing cervical strain and pain in right shoulder. Doctor prescribed heat, parafon forte and Cataflam 50 mg.

2011 · 1 incident

August 29, 2011 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IW was holding a short section of belt conveyor flat while coworker was using a 3/8"x12" drift punch to straighten the edges of belt splice. When prying the punch slipped out of hand and flew upward hitting IW on the inner corner of right eye causing bruising, swelling and bloodshot. Prescribed eye drops to clear bloodshot and soothe eye. The drops are also antibiotic.

2008 · 2 incidents

September 30, 2008 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Railcar # NS 152963 had uneven surface on discharge chute. Employee hit the uneven area with a sledge hammer. The hammer glanced off and hit employee on top of right safety shoe. This resulted in swelling and pain when standing or walking.

September 24, 2008 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking down a sloped walkway and stepped with his left foot on the horizontal portion and turned to his right spraining left ankle.

2007 · 1 incident

August 6, 2007 SC · Metal/Non-Metal crane operator, mobile equipment operator (meo), dragline operator, dropball operator, rigger HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee approached loader from front, he put hands on handles and right foot on step on upper edge of bucket. As he pulled with his arms to raise up into loader, he felt sharp pain in his lower back. Employee has back pain, requiring medication and physical therapy.

2006 · 4 incidents

November 16, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck against stationary object

Employee was using a custom made punch bar to clean built-up material off the impact wall of a conveyor transfer chute. When the bar unexpectedly broke thru the build-up, his left hand came in contact with the corner of the chute plate. This resulted in a cut, requiring 3 stitches and soreness in the area.

August 25, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a bar to open the bottom door on an incoming ore railroad car. When the door latch mechanism suddenly released, employee felt pain in his back and left arm. Doctor's diagnosis was lumbar strain and muscle strain.

March 27, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was removing the bolt holding the torque-arm (speed reducer) to install a guard bracket. The weight of the 3 hp motor & motor mount caused the whole drive to rotate & the motor mount hit employee. When pulling back, he hit his head on the end of the conveyor frame. Cut on mouth requiring 16 stitches, broken tooth & 2 chipped teeth. Cut behind right ear requiring 3 stitches.

January 26, 2006 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Industrial Minerals Inc · Fall down stairs

Employee was desending stairway after sampling and sealing railcar. He turned to go back up stairway to get sample bags he forgot. Feet slipped off stair and employee fell two or three steps before catching himself. Employee suffered broken right ankle and heel and brusing to base of left toes.

2005 · 4 incidents

August 22, 2005 SC · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) MACHINERY
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED WAS GRINDING WELDING SPLATTER OFF OF HAND CART. SMALL PIECE GOT IN LEFT EYE. INJURED WAS WEARING SAFETY GLASSES AND WELDING SHIELD. NOTICED TENDERNESS IN LEFT EYE AFTER COMPLETING GRINDNG TASK. WENT TO MD 8/22/05 REFERRED TO OPTHAMOLOGIST 8/24/05

July 15, 2005 SC · Metal/Non-Metal pumper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was cleaning build-up from pulley on conveyer tripper. The bar he was using slipped causing employee to lose balance and his face hit frame of tripper.

July 15, 2005 SC · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Industrial Minerals Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING ANOTHER FOREMAN MOVE MOBILE FUEL TANK WHEN THE WHEEL BECAME WEDGED ON A BOARD CAUSING HIM TO FALL BACKWARD ONTO CONCRETE ON RIGHT HIP & RIGHT ARM, KNOCKING HARD HAT OFF WITH A WHIPLASH EFFECT. WENT TO DOCTOR 7-28-05, HAD CT ON 7-29-05. DR PRESCRIBED RX FOR PAIN.

March 23, 2005 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by falling object

IE was closing car gate and closing bar slipped hurting left arm & shoulder. Did not go to doctor at this time, used various rubs & heat. Saw doctor on 9/6/2005, continued working with no loss time. MSHA reportable on 9/20/2005 when IE started physical therapy. Still no loss time.

2002 · 3 incidents

December 16, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by falling object

EE WAS REMOVING BUSHING FROM TAILROLLER CRUSHER DISCHARGE BELT. SHAFT OF TAILROLLER FELL ONTO TILAROLLER BEARING HOUSING CAUSING INJURY TO RIGHT LONG FINGER, LEFT SMALL AND LONG FINGERS. DR DI D A NAILBED REPAIR AND REDUCED HIS FRACTURE. MISSED ONE DAY OF WORK AND ON LIGHT DUTY.

March 4, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

INJURED EMPLOYEE WAS UNLOADING ORE RAILCARS BY HITTING RAILCAR WITH SLEDGE HAMMER PULLING MUSCLE IN RIGHT ARM. BECAME REPORTABLE BECAUSE OF SURGERY 7/23/02.

January 7, 2002 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE WAS HITTING RAILCAR WITH SLEDGE HAMMER TO GET THE BORATE ORE TO START FLOWING. DOCTOR DIAGNOSED LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS ON 1/10/02, GIVING HIM CELEBREX 200 TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN. ON 2/18/02 THE DOCTOR INJECTED HIM WITH XYLOCAIN AND DEPOMEDROL.

2001 · 2 incidents

July 16, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE WAS UNLOADING ORE FROM RAILROAD CAR BY HITTING SIDE OF RAILCAR WITH SLEDGE HAMMER CAUSING TENDERNESS IN RIGHT ARM. EE WENT TO THE DOCTOR ON 8/7/01, BUT THE INJURY DID NOT BECOME REPORTABLE UNTIL HE WENT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY ON 9/20/01.

July 13, 2001 SC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Industrial Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

IE WAS CHANING THE RETURN ROLLERS ON THE CONVEYOR USING A HAMMER TO SEAT THE ROLLERS OUT OF THE BRACKETS. WHILE BEATING THE ROLLER EE STRAINED A MUSCLE IN HIS RIGHT ARM. THE PAIN WENT AWAY AND HE DID NOT GO TO THE DR UNTIL 9-18-01, BUT THE REPORT DID NOT BECOME REPORTABLE UNTIL HE WENT TO PHYSICAL THERAPY 9-25-01.

2000 · 3 incidents

July 20, 2000 SC · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS TAKING VIBRATOR OFF RAILCAR AT CRUSHING SITE, WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HANDS, HITTING HIS RIGHT KNEE AND CAUSING CONTUSION. VIBRATOR WAS OILY FROM LUBRICATES.

February 15, 2000 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Industrial Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INJURED EE WAS CHANGING THE LOADING HOSE PIPE FROM ONE SECTION OF A COVERED RAILCAR HOPPER TO THE NEXT SECTION. AS HE MOVED THE LOADING AND VENT HOSE THAT THE DOOR WAS SUPPORTED BY, THE DOOR D ROPPED AND CAUGHT HIS LITTLE FINGER BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE BRACKET OF THE LOADING SWITCH, CAUSING CONTUSION AND SIMPLE FRACTURE.

February 10, 2000 SC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Industrial Minerals Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

IE USED SHOVEL TO SCRAPE MATERIAL BUILDUP OFF RETURN IDLER. IT APPEARED THAT THE SHOVEL CAUGHT BETWEEN THE UP TURNING IDLER & THE ANGLE GUARD THE SHOVEL HANDLE CAME UP QUICKLY HITTING INJ ON CHIN INJ DROPPED SHOVEL & FELL APPROX 6-8 FT AWAY. IT APPEARED THAT HE BIT TONGUE WHEN HIT IN CHIN