Mining Incidents

Copperstone Mine Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Mining Americas Inc
Quartzite, La Paz County, AZ  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 0203000

Copperstone Mine has $40K in proposed MSHA penalties and $63 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
25
Years on record
2006–2019
Latest incident
Mar 2019
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2003
171
citations
48
significant & substantial
$39,559
proposed penalties
$38,833
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $726 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2003
101
inspections on record
2,216
inspection hours
7.7
citations per 100 inspection hours
This rate is recorded citations divided by MSHA inspection hours, per 100 hours. It reflects inspection effort, not mine size or production.
171 citations across 2,216 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Copperstone Mine has $40K in proposed MSHA penalties and $63 outstanding across 3 contested dockets.

Penalty disposition
Differences between proposed and paid penalties reflect both settlements and conference reductions and amounts still owed. Outstanding is the balance currently owed.
$40K
proposed penalties
$39K
current assessed
$39K
paid to date
$63
outstanding
167 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-12-03.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million reported employee-hours. Rates begin in 2000, when MSHA's quarterly employment data starts; earlier incidents are counted but cannot be rate-adjusted. Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 2,060 5 0 2427.2
2025 Q3 2,060 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 2,060 1 0 485.4
2025 Q1 2,060 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,060 1 0 485.4
2024 Q3 2,060 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 2,060 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 2,060 0 0 0.0
Show 69 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 2,060 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2,060 2 1 970.9
2023 Q2 1,560 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 1,560 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 1,560 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 1,560 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 1,560 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 3,241 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 5,172 1 0 193.3
2021 Q3 6,210 6 2 966.2
2021 Q2 4,357 0 0 0.0
2021 Q1 12,060 12 3 995.0
2020 Q4 14,548 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 4,363 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 4,838 1 0 206.7
2020 Q1 4,389 1 0 227.8
2019 Q4 3,400 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 3,019 3 0 993.7
2019 Q2 4,985 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 10,614 2 0 188.4
2018 Q4 11,796 2 0 169.5
2018 Q3 8,211 3 1 365.4
2018 Q2 8,367 5 2 597.6
2018 Q1 8,214 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 10,710 13 3 1213.8
2017 Q3 11,512 1 0 86.9
2017 Q2 6,946 1 0 144.0
2017 Q1 6,729 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 3,474 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 2,880 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 2,400 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 2,880 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 3,019 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 4,573 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 4,805 1 0 208.1
2015 Q1 4,713 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 4,075 1 0 245.4
2014 Q3 4,902 1 0 204.0
2014 Q2 3,380 4 0 1183.4
2014 Q1 5,263 13 4 2470.1
2013 Q4 15,623 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 65,238 19 6 291.2
2013 Q2 62,392 3 2 48.1
2013 Q1 61,567 1 1 16.2
2012 Q4 62,190 22 11 353.8
2012 Q3 57,177 1 1 17.5
2012 Q2 47,942 2 2 41.7
2012 Q1 42,037 8 3 190.3
2011 Q4 24,396 5 1 205.0
2011 Q3 2,859 17 2 5946.1
2011 Q2 984 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 568 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 672 1 0 1488.1
2006 Q3 890 7 0 7865.2
2006 Q2 667 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 665 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 668 1 0 1497.0
2005 Q3 690 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 510 2 2 3921.6
2005 Q1 640 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 1,058 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 1,200 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 1,156 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 1,170 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 1,118 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 2,118 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 1,440 2 1 1388.9
2003 Q1 2,880 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 360 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

25 on file

2019 · 1 incident

March 19, 2019 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal drill helper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

Employees were pushing and pulling on a pipe wrench to break apart a down hole hammer when the hammer broke free the employees lost balance and stumbled into the other employees left ankle.

2013 · 14 incidents

October 9, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man OTHER
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Contact with heat

Miner's feet started to swell then became red and irritated.

September 27, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A popping noise was heard in the 2WC drift-shifter proceeded to the area-pulled miners from the heading-barricaded it off-called the mine super-The Super got here-proceeded underground-was informed the area was starting to let go-The area was almost down past the ground support-he knew that it would continue to fail past the ground support-He called MSHA 800 number.

September 21, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, errand boy, service truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Sump pump failed - miner went into the sump water to clean and reset pump - miner spent 6 hours repairing pump - while standing in the water received concrete burns.

September 19, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

At 6pm it was reported to safety that the right rib was sloughing at the mud seam. Barricaded the area off. At 9pm after an inspection of the area the peeling had continued until the roof support let go. At that time called MSHA 800 number to report the incident.

July 21, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Miner was drilling out a round in fractured ground. When he tried to pull the drill and steel out of the hole he strained his back from the steel becoming stuck.

July 8, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck by flying object

Miner was mucking out a heading with a LHD when a rock hit the hand held fire extinguisher mounted on the outside of the cab. The fire extinguisher activated and the powder went into the miners face getting into his eyes. The miner was wearing his safety glasses.

June 20, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Miner went into a sump area down from a shot crete area to advance a pump. Miner developed a rash and his skin showed signs of a chemical burn.

June 10, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While drilling at the face of 690, a rock rolled out of the face, Miner jumped back to avoid rock and felt his knee pop. Miner took ibuprofen and finished shift. When miner got home knee started to swell.

April 1, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While repairing utilities to pipe hung from the back the forklift, with a manbasket attached, ran over a rock near the rib. The miner grabed the back rail of the manbasket and it pinched his three fingers between the manbasket and forklift guard.

March 9, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Informed on 3/9/2013 that miner did not come back to work after his days off stating he hurt his back and hips the previous work days. While driving LHD miner ran over a rock and it jarred him causing pain in his back and hips.

January 31, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

While moving a 400 pound sump pump, employee attempted to level the load, when the lifting eyes broke sending the pump back to steel table, employees left pinkie was struck causing a laceration.

January 18, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Miner was waiting by 300 pound sump pump to replace the holding chains when pump fell onto its side. The miner didn't wait for his helper but tried to stand the pump back up and felt a burning in stomach.

January 7, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

while towing a broken down vehicle out of underground miner hit the rib while in the drivers seat with seatbelt on. Reported 1/9/13 to safety that the lower right stomach/groin area was tender.

2012 · 7 incidents

October 21, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Miners waded into a sump to repair a pump that contained residue of shot crete and received chemical burns.

October 21, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Miners waded into a sump to repair a pump that contained residue of shot crete and received chemical burns.

October 17, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner noticed a jack leg that had fallen from the bolt deck. He picked it up to secure it on the deck when the goose neck swung up and hit him in the teeth.

August 31, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man DISORDERS (PHYSICAL AGENTS)
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Contact with heat

Miner contacted shifter with a complaint of headache, back pain, and arm pain to the elbow. Brought to the Security office for evaluation and sent to hospital for dehydration.

July 15, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Miner was cleaning off roller drum removing the buildup of mud when the rod used for cleaning slipped and caught the miners finger between the rod and conveyor belt cutting the end of his finger.

May 17, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman STRIKING OR BUMPING
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Miner was leaving dry when a piece of paper flew out of his pocket. Miner chased paper, stepped on it, bent over to pick paper up, and hit his head on a piece of stationary channel iron. Miner received a scalp laceration that required staples.

May 4, 2012 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Miners were delivering supplies to a rehab area, on second trip miner stopped, applied brake, turned off RTV, started to exit RTV when it started rolling backwards down decline. RTV ran up rib and rolled on it's side. One of three miners in buggy received bruises on right arm, pre-op done.

2011 · 2 incidents

November 20, 2011 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal apprentice, trainee FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck by falling object

Miner was placing a 10' drill steel into a pre-drilled 6' hole. The miner was holding the steel when a rock approx. 4' x 4' x 3' began to fall in the area of the drill hole. The miner retreated as the steel bearing the weight of the rock hit the back of the knee and knocked him to the ground.

July 26, 2011 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man POWERED HAULAGE
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Struck against a moving object

The accident involved a Wagner ST 3.5 mucker on the surface area near the North portal. The operator was backing the mucker after dumping muck. He struck a rock with the tire of the mucker. The operator struck the ROPS with his hard hat. The accident did not impair the mining operation.

2006 · 1 incident

October 4, 2006 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Bonanza Explorations, Inc. · Fall from machine

Employee states while walking from one side of catwalk to another, he jumped off same and landed awkwardly on unknown ankle, spraining same.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Copperstone Mine

A dated report covering the 26-year penalty trail, line-item violation pattern, contest and docket posture, rate-normalized peer benchmark, and full fatality history. Delivered as a PDF with the underlying data as CSV.