Mining Incidents

White Mesa MillMetal/Nonmetal

EFR White Mesa LLC · Facility
Controlled by Energy Fuels Inc
Blanding, San Juan County, UT · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 4201429
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
47
Years on record
2000–2026
Latest incident
Mar 2026
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

47 on file

2026 · 3 incidents

Struck against stationary object

On 3/17/26, the employee stepped on a rock and overextended the arch of their right foot. The injury was initially believed to be minor, but the pain persisted and worsened. On 4/13/26, the employee was evaluated at a clinic and prescribed an orthopedic boot. X-rays were negative for fractures; an MRI has been ordered for further evaluation.

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

While performing maintenance, an employee was manually removing a section of metal floor grating. The grating shifted unexpectedly, catching and pinching the employee's right middle finger between the grating and the support frame. This resulted in a laceration to the fingertip which required sutures for closure.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While performing a drilling task, the operator was applying manual pressure to the tool. The drill bit snapped unexpectedly under tension. The sudden release of resistance caused the operator's hand to lunge forward, striking the jagged edge of the broken bit and resulting in a puncture wound to the right index finger.

2025 · 3 incidents

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

Miner was cleaning rocks out of the apron feeder in the tunnel. The left index finger was smashed between the bar the miner was using and the apron feeder wall. The contact resulted in the tip of the left index finger being fractured.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

On 2/28/25, an employee injured EE's right knee while unloading drums from a trailer. EE climbed over drums to access tie-downs and jumped onto the trailer bed, landing awkwardly. Initial care was conservative. PT was later tried for symptom relief. In July, surgery was required, and the employee is now off work recovering.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was using a hook knife to cut zip ties from a band when the knife slipped lacerating the tip of the middle finger on the left hand.

2024 · 3 incidents

Struck by flying object

Employee picked up a flex hose to move it. During the movement something flew into EE' eyes. Later during the shift EE' eyes became itchy and irritated. The employee was wearing safety glasses at the time of the incident. The employee was taken to the Emergency Room where EE was treated for a bilateral abrasion of the cornea. EE was given an antibiotic to treat the scratches.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While stripping wire insulation with a razor knife, an employee's grip slipped, causing the blade to cut their left index finger on the opposite hand, resulting in a laceration.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received a laceration to the tip of the index finger on the left hand while operating a drill press. This required 5 stitches to close the wound.

2023 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee installed Leach Tank #3 lid section to fit into place. The lid was stuck causing employee to push lid with right leg causing overexertion of their knee. Employee did not notice any pain at that point in time. They reported the incident on 7-10-2023. Doctor recommended Physical therapy on 07/18/2023 to have done. Physical therapy will start on 7-21-2023 @ 4:00 PM.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee miss-stepped ascending a short flight of steps jamming left big toe/foot

Struck against stationary object

Employee was breaking up a hardened caustic chunk so that it would fit into a hopper when EE smashed finger against a solid object. This resulted in a fracture to the tip of the pinky finger on the right hand.

2022 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stripping electrical wire using a box knife with a motion towards self and stabbed self in the right thigh. This resulted in a one inch laceration the depth of the blade, requiring three stitches and tetanus shot.

2021 · 1 incident

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

The employees were working on a 150 lbs. head tank frame that was sitting on the walkway grating. As they went to move the frame, EE #1 noticed welding rods and attempted to move them as EE #2 moved the frame and pinched EE #1's middle finger, right hand, between the frame and the grating. As a result the fleshy end of the finger was cut requiring stitches.

2018 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A miner was using an angle grinder to cut conduit when the miner reached around the conduit to cut the back side the grinder bound up and bounced towards the miner striking left forearm causing the injury. The miner received 6 stitches and a tetanus shot. There was no time lost and no work restrictions. The guard was in place at the time of the accident.

2016 · 1 incident

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was walking on an icy surface and EE's feet went out from under EE causing EE to land on EE's bottom. The employee dropped EE's right arm to soften the fall and injured EE's shoulder. The employee has seen several doctors since Feb. 16 and now will have surgery.

2014 · 1 incident

Struck by falling object

The employee was using a sand blaster when the breather hose got stuck. The employee pulled on the hose slipped on the grit under his feet and lost his balance and lost control of the nozzle. Sand blasting grit struck the employee above the right elbow causing a 4 to 5 inch hole in is bicep.

2013 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

The employee was lifting one end of a 250 pound cutting edge when he felt a sharp pain in the lower right side of his stomach. The pain went away but a report was filled out. He was later diagnosed with a hernia when the pain returned. On 10/4 he was put on light duty. On 10/18 he had surgery returning to light duty on 10/21.

2012 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was removing a cutting edge of a loader bucket using an impact wrench. The weight of the impact wrench pushed the spinning edge of the bolt out of the recessed hole of the bucket the bolt cut through the employees gloves and the under side of his wrist and thumb. The employee received several stitches and 10 days of modified duty.

2011 · 1 incident

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Previous shift overflowed a tank with heated solution and soda ash. The crew then removed a set of grates in the sump area to pump the solutions back into the circuit. The crew then changed at shift change and did not barricade the sump area, nor told the oncoming crew about the removed grating.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Men were air lancing inside tank to break up solids to drain. Coupler came loose from hose and began whipping, hitting employee on hand.

2008 · 12 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was holding a sample to begin testing when he wrenched back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a fusion welder, pipe rolled causing the clamp to pinch the right thumb

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Hit in the face with a pipe. Glancing blow while loosing a hugger.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee had 2 lighters and ""screamers"" in his pants pocket, one of which ignited while grinding. Employee claims screamers were spent already and that the lighter ignited. Employee received 3rd degree burns to his left leg.

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

While supporting a 10"" drisco pipe for welding, a second employee pushed the pipe which pinched and cut the right index finger finger of the employee. The injured employee received several stitches.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was grinding fiberglass. Grinder caught and kicked back catching employee's hand and lacerating left finger, needing stitches.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was tapping beaker to check for weakness. Beaker shattered and lacerated left hand with glass shards.

Contact with hot objects or substances

Employee was cleaning slimy material from boots with steam hose. Burned ankle.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was moving from one work site to another, slipped on wet concrete, landed on lt. checking on wooden curbing, broke 3 ribs.

Struck by falling object

Employee was dismantling guard when it fell onto hand lacerating rt. big finger. He was going to replace the bolts on the centrifuge pump.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Slipped on ice, landed on back.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Pulling on ratchet. Ratchet and socket slipped and hit Rt. upper lip causing a cut that required sutures.

2007 · 6 incidents

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

Employee was emptying drums of material onto conveyor for processing. The contents had hardened and had to be removed by hand. While removing drum from platform, the employee's hand was pinned between the drum and doorway, breaking his left pinky finger.

Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE was cleaning breakers removing chloroform & ammonidate. This man realized that the exhaust fan was not functioning correctly at this time, noticed more fumes than usual. Advised his supervisor of this situation at which time they went to dr to see if any damage occured to his lungs.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Man was sitting down, preparing samples for analysis dropped pipe and filled with acid (hxs04) onto lap, material spilled onto leg and ran onto leg & buttock area burning employee.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Dismantling an abandon sulfuric acid line. All valves were closed. Hydrogen gas build up in pipe caused a sudden release when the line was being disconnected. Sulfuric Acid material was blown onto the neck of the affected worker.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Subject was cleaning filter plates on filter press when he pinched his pinky finger between the plate and filter railings.

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

EE was loading a barrel into crushing machine, got left long finger wedged between barrel and frame, smashed and ripped finger.

2005 · 2 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee received caustic burns to both arms when material splashed up in the sleeves of his wet gear. PPE was not wore correctly. Employee then did not flush the area until after an hour had gone by. Then the employee washed the area for five minutes and then used a scrub brush on the affected areas. This caused the blisters that had arisen to rupture.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had respirator cartridges that plugged off and caused the respirator pressure inside of mask to rupture the left ear drum. Doctors remarked that no permanent injury was sustained during the incident.

2002 · 3 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED ON A WET FLOOR AND HIT HIS HAND ON A LOCKER IN THE CHANGE ROOM.

Fall from machine

LOST HIS BALANCE WHILE MANUALLY POSITIONING A DRUM FOR A BARREL GRAB AND FELL FROM A FLATBED TRAILER.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE SWUNG HIS LEG OVER A HANDRAIL TO ACCESS A LADDER. THE KNEE NOT SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT POPPED.

2001 · 2 incidents

Struck against a moving object

WHILE OPERATING WATER WAGON, HE HIT A BUMP. THE JOLT THREW HIM INTO THE SEAT BELT WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE INJURY. THE BUMP WAS CAUSED WHEN AN OPERATOR CUT TOO DEEP WHEN PUCHING UP THE STOCK PILE. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 14"" HIGH.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

THE EE LEFT THE BUILDING TO DO A YARD TOR, NOTICED THAT THE SNOW HAD BEEN REMOVED BUT DID NOT NOTICE THE FILM OF ICE. HE SLIPPED AND FELL. THAT DAY, DR TOLD HIM HE HAD A CONTUSION, LATER IT WA S DETERMINED HIS INJURY IS MORE SERIOUS.

2000 · 1 incident

Fall from machine

EE HAD BEEN CLEANING MUD OUT OF AN INTERMODAL CONTAINER USED TO SHIP PROCESS FEED FOR THE MILLWHEN EXITING THE CONTAINER, HE KNELT DOWN PLACEDHIS HAND AT THE EDGE TO HOP OUT. WHEN HE TRANSFE RRED HIS WEIGHT TO HIS HAND IT SLIPPED BECAUSE OF MUD, AND HE FELL APPROX 5' LANDING ON HIS FOREHEAD