Mining Incidents

Shafter Mine Metal/Non-Metal

Rio Grande Mining Company · Underground
Controlled by Aurcana Corporation
MARFA, Presidio County, TX  ·  Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 4102905

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
37
Years on record
2011–2013
Latest incident
Oct 2013
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2011
183
citations
70
significant & substantial
$126,003
proposed penalties
$124,227
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
2013 Q4 65,205 27 7 414.1
2013 Q3 18,104 21 9 1160.0
2013 Q2 62,705 12 4 191.4
2013 Q1 98,121 48 22 489.2
2012 Q4 79,747 13 4 163.0
2012 Q3 57,820 11 3 190.2
2012 Q2 65,382 13 4 198.8
2012 Q1 53,889 16 9 296.9
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

37 on file

2013 · 12 incidents

October 12, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee stated he was walking down the main decline when he slipped and fell on his left shoulder.

September 9, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Incident happened at the Filter Press 2nd Floor. Employee was concerned for tool bag to get wet, so he picked up 70lb tool bag tossed it into his office and as he let go he felt his right shoulder pop.

June 30, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by falling object

Employee was "loading dynamite" underground when he heard a "rock cracking" noise, so he looked up and a rock that fell from above hit him in the face. His right front tooth was dislodged and he had minor lacerations above his upper lip.

May 29, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by falling object

ee was bolting back, when a approximately 10"x 10" rock came out from behind the wire striking him on the shoulder and collarbone. ee felt pain in shoulder/collarbone area. Was treated by a physician and received treatment. Placed on restricted duty for 7 days.

May 20, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech ELECTRICAL
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

At 10:40 pm employee was jump starting a 30 ton haul truck, after starting the truck he went to shut down the jump pack. At this time the jumper pack exploded on his hand. His thumb nail was bleeding very little and had a small cut behind his knuckle on his right thumb, also his ears were ringing.

May 12, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Rio Grande Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a pipe wrench to close the bombay doors on press #2, when the pipe wrench slipped and he felt a pain in his lower back.

April 18, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The wind was blowing extremely hard, the workers where welding some doors at the crusher. Employee felt a burning sensation on his left eye he kept working his shift with the other two workers. When he got home went to sleep when he woke up with burning sensation went to see the doctor in Alpine Texas. Employee does have small metal shaving on his left eye

February 15, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was working with machinery (jack - leg) was pulling on a 8 ft. steel that was stuck in a underground hole a part of the steel broke off EE and another co-worker fell back and jack hammer landed on his (L) knee.

February 8, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Rio Grande Mining Company · Accident type, without injuries

A roof fall occurred at the 5200 level crosscut #4, a 5ft. x 6ft. x 4ft. wedge came down from the back at the #4 crosscut nose pillar. Approximately eight(8)ft. split set rock bolts failed from the anchorage zone. The fall did not impede ventilation, travel-ways and / or entrapment. No injuries were sustained. MSHA

January 28, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall from machine

Employee when working in his area Cone Crusher he was wearing his PPE and harness and he slipped and fell 5ft from the ground never lost consciousness he was complaining about his left hand and his neck when EMS arrived he was triage he refused transportation next day went to see Dr. could not stand the pain.

January 25, 2013 TX · Metal/Non-Metal pumper OTHER
Rio Grande Mining Company · Rubbed or abraded

unable to walk due to blisters that were infected due to friction and moisture wearing the black rubber boot. This started shortly after he started to work at the mine and this was not reported until this date 01/25/2013 he could no longer walk and was unable to work.

2012 · 21 incidents

December 26, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor MACHINERY
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

An Electrician was checking the bag house system, when he put his fingers into a piece of the equipment which he was not aware was spinning.

September 26, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Operating kubota RTV 1140 on Entrance to mine site. Traveling at a speed of 20 MPH. The left front tire punctured and the kubota over turned onto the left side. Employee had his left foot out and the kubota rolled on top of it. He received contusions to lower left leg, a sprained ankle, and a cut requiring three stitches.

September 15, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to cut a zip-tie off a filter press liner with a razor knife when the knife slipped and cut through his glove and lacerated his left index finger

July 30, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting about ten lbs. While setting it into a kubota RTV she felt pain in the lower back. The pain worsened through the night. She saw a physician the next day. She was diagnosed with muscle strains in the lower back.

July 9, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting a Kubota tire on a bench and was standing on the right side of the tire. He received a laceration on his upper left abdomen. The laceration was 3/4 inches long. The wound was superficial. As he was leaving the mine site, he had noticed the wound had started bleeding again. The wound had started to bleed more indicating a possible arterial cut.

June 28, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking to the surface shop and tripped on wire protruding from a concrete form. He fell on his left knee, landing on some sheets of expanded metal. He heard his knee pop. The area was not lighted and he did not see the wire. His knee had sprang and strains of the knee cap.

June 23, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss POWERED HAULAGE
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE was putting floor dry on a belt pulley. The guard was removed and the belt was still running. EE was using a 6' rebar to scrape off the roller. The bar got trapped in the belt roller. Another EE ran over and hit the E-Stop. EE had lacerations on his trycep, a dislocated elbow, broken bone on the lower arm, Broken bone on the lower pinky finger,lacerations of the hand.

May 21, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was cleaning the filter press filters. The electrician was changing a fuse on the bombay doors. EE was with the electrician while he changed the fuse. The electrician started the door and thought EE was beside him. EE had got onto the bombay door to check the hole when the bombay door moved and trapped his right foot between the door and gutter.

May 14, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal coal/ore shovel operator, shoveler, power shoveler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was climbing onto the Volvo trackhoe. As he pulled himself up he felt a pain in his right shoulder and felt it pop. He reported it to his supervisor.

May 8, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

While shoveling mud and muck at the ball mill containment area, employee felt a sharp pain in the center of his back. He was fatigued and possibly slightly dehydrated. He was diagnosed with a muscle strain.

May 5, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Rio Grande Mining Company · Contact with heat

Employee was having symptoms of weakness and nausea. He sat down near his bucket. He reported to supervisor of symptoms and was sent to first aid room. EMT noted disorientation. Employee was transported to clinic. Diagnosed with heat exhaustion, dehydration and dizziness.

April 24, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall from machine

Employee was adjusting a filter press while prying with a pry bar. He was pulling down on the bar, when the bar slipped. It jerked his body and He fell 2' to the landing. He did not notice any pain until a few hours later. Pain was felt in the lower back.

April 20, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was attempting to move an electrical starter box. He used both hands and upon lifting the box, his left hand slipped off. The weight from the box set down on his right index and middle finger. He pulled out his hand and tore the skin (laceration)away from under the nail of the index finger. He returned to work the same day on restricted duty.

March 24, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE was helping another ee move a steel rack. The steel rack was tied to the forks of a fork lift. When ee delivered the rack to the new location on the surface by the portal. EE was working in the area and went over to help. When ee untied the wire, the load shifted and pinched his right thumb lacerating it.

March 15, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal mechanic helper STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck against stationary object

Employee was walking across filtration area and stepped on 2" x 4" form board that concrete contractor left with nail protruding Thru and went Thru sole of boot sticking in the ball of his left foot. Treated on site and carried employee to clinic to receive tetanus shot. Returned to work same day with no lost time.

March 8, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Failed set screw on roll up door spring caused roll up door to spin. Chain hoist bracket struck employee in chin causing laceration

February 10, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was carrying a bundle of bolts on his right shoulder; as he was walking down the decline ramp he slipped and fell backwards.

January 25, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck by falling object

while unloading lockers, one set of lockers fell over hitting employee on his calf; he had a small red mark on his calf. High wind and wet landing were the causes.

January 13, 2012 TX · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer MACHINERY
Rio Grande Mining Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

operator closed door of dozer and left his pinky exposed, which resulted in fracture and laceration

2011 · 4 incidents

July 21, 2011 TX · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Rio Grande Mining Company · Struck against a moving object

Employee was backing a Cat 966C loader down a hill when he turned it into a depression and the loader became unbalanced and turned over on it's side next to an escape hatch for a tunnel under construction. Employee was wearing his belt and was not injured. Equipment was placed back on all four tires and driven off for mechanical and safety check.

June 18, 2011 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Cement burns due to over exposure while mixing grout with the grout pump. Reported the next day after being involved in the use of cement.

June 18, 2011 TX · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Rio Grande Mining Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Cement burns due to over exposure while mixing grout with the grout pump. Reported the next day after being involved in the use of cement.

June 10, 2011 TX · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Rio Grande Mining Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking across mine office road when he tripped on left foot, fell to the ground, and sprained right knee. Employee felt pain in right knee and was unable to bear weight on foot.