Mining Incidents

Intrepid Potash North Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Intrepid Potash Inc
Lea, Lea County, NM  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 2902028

Intrepid Potash North has $65K in proposed MSHA penalties and $429 outstanding across 17 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
32
Years on record
1989–2020
Latest incident
Jul 2020
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
354
citations
36
significant & substantial
$64,773
proposed penalties
$58,659
paid to date
91% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $6,114 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
96
inspections on record
1,928
inspection hours
18.4
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.
354 citations across 1,928 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Intrepid Potash North has $65K in proposed MSHA penalties and $429 outstanding across 17 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.
$65K
proposed penalties
$59K
current assessed
$59K
paid to date
$429
outstanding
345 assessments are final orders; 17 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-02-17.
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 12,449 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 12,505 12 2 959.6
2025 Q2 13,036 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 11,895 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 11,516 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 11,546 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 11,132 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 10,920 1 0 91.6
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 11,518 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 12,270 5 1 407.5
2023 Q2 12,334 6 1 486.5
2023 Q1 10,927 2 0 183.0
2022 Q4 11,666 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 11,776 13 2 1103.9
2022 Q2 11,793 0 0 0.0
2022 Q1 10,906 1 0 91.7
2021 Q4 11,690 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 11,597 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 12,197 3 0 246.0
2021 Q1 12,551 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 12,363 5 1 404.4
2020 Q3 13,809 8 0 579.3
2020 Q2 6,341 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 13,389 1 0 74.7
2019 Q4 13,494 3 0 222.3
2019 Q3 13,717 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 14,163 5 0 353.0
2019 Q1 12,893 0 0 0.0
2018 Q4 13,507 2 0 148.1
2018 Q3 13,273 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 12,970 4 0 308.4
2018 Q1 13,533 7 0 517.3
2017 Q4 12,911 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 13,456 10 0 743.2
2017 Q2 12,429 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 12,303 2 0 162.6
2016 Q4 16,005 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 17,959 5 0 278.4
2016 Q2 22,614 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 25,980 4 0 154.0
2015 Q4 31,215 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 34,015 2 1 58.8
2015 Q2 32,950 5 0 151.7
2015 Q1 33,963 5 0 147.2
2014 Q4 24,386 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 27,938 7 2 250.6
2014 Q2 30,159 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 28,584 9 5 314.9
2013 Q4 29,297 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 30,772 2 0 65.0
2013 Q2 26,982 1 0 37.1
2013 Q1 27,207 5 0 183.8
2012 Q4 27,710 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 29,395 7 1 238.1
2012 Q2 28,567 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 45,574 6 0 131.7
2011 Q4 26,360 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 27,236 9 1 330.4
2011 Q2 26,271 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 22,067 4 1 181.3
2010 Q4 23,592 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 40,323 4 0 99.2
2010 Q2 22,680 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 23,310 4 0 171.6
2009 Q4 19,920 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 18,315 3 0 163.8
2009 Q2 23,400 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 31,520 6 0 190.4
2008 Q4 22,025 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 23,487 18 3 766.4
2008 Q2 20,238 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 23,052 17 0 737.5
2007 Q4 19,549 0 0 0.0
2007 Q3 21,623 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 20,234 7 1 346.0
2007 Q1 22,916 8 0 349.1
2006 Q4 17,232 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 20,365 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 15,926 7 0 439.5
2006 Q1 17,529 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 15,689 9 1 573.7
2005 Q3 23,034 19 2 824.9
2005 Q2 16,839 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 14,116 7 0 495.9
2004 Q4 14,766 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 18,942 4 0 211.2
2004 Q2 20,791 18 3 865.8
2004 Q1 14,553 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 14,135 11 1 778.2
2003 Q3 9,973 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 14,861 3 0 201.9
2003 Q1 12,938 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 15,338 5 1 326.0
2002 Q3 13,361 5 0 374.2
2002 Q2 16,239 5 0 307.9
2002 Q1 13,957 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 16,595 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 14,886 4 1 268.7
2001 Q2 16,706 0 0 0.0
2001 Q1 15,328 11 4 717.6
2000 Q4 18,019 1 1 55.5
2000 Q3 15,800 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 15,517 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 9,503 6 0 631.4
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

32 on file

2020 · 1 incident

July 6, 2020 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Ee was walking down stairs and missed last 2 steps. Ee did not fall, caught self with Left leg. Ee did not immediately know that there was any injury.

2019 · 1 incident

November 20, 2019 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Nov 2019, Ee was walking out of warehouse bay and stepped on uneven ground. Ee felt Left Knee pop, but did not fall. Feb 14, 2020...Ee had surgery on Left Knee as a result of injury.

2015 · 2 incidents

July 28, 2015 NM · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Accident type, without injuries

A fire in a construction debris pile was reported at 2:45 p.m. Fire service was called and responded. The pile was located in a remote area of the property. The fire was contained and finally extinguished by 7:45 p.m. A fire watch was maintained overnight. Ignition source undetermined--believed to be spontaneous.

July 21, 2015 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE operating transloader to load truck from rail car. EE stepped too close to conveyor while attempting to close car gate. R leg was caught between the belt and guide tire. E-Stop bar activated to stop belt. EE extricated in < 30-minutes.

2014 · 1 incident

March 7, 2014 NM · Metal/Non-Metal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker MACHINERY
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cutting an angle clip with a metabo grinder when the grinder kicked back causing a laceration between the employee's middle and pinky fingers.

2013 · 2 incidents

September 7, 2013 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by flying object

While the employee was preparing to start his shift and was getting his tools together for the job a gust of wind blew dust and sand into his left eye. First aid was administered with eye wash. Took the employee to the ER at Carlsbad, New Mexico. Safety glasses were being used when this accident happened.

August 13, 2013 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by flying object

The EE was attaching a piece of strut to a hand rail to hold a light fixture with a self tapping tech screw. While drilling the wind blew metal fines from the screw handrail between his safety glasses and face entering his eye.

2011 · 1 incident

March 8, 2011 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Small left finger became caught between a cable tray and frame when a co-worker pushed tray into 45 degree angle, as instructed by injured employee.

2010 · 1 incident

October 28, 2010 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE's were cleaning a return idler guard using a 4lb hammer. The guard had been removed for cleaning. EE reached to secure the guard, second EE swung the hammer striking 1st EE on the left middle finger causing an open fracture at the first knuckle of the middle finger of the left hand.

2007 · 3 incidents

December 7, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Employee was pulling on a hose that was buried in a pile of potash and felt a sharp pain in the lower left side of his back.

September 29, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was changing v-belts on #1 compactor. He was using a pipe wrench to turn pulley while belts were installed. Gear box released pressure and employee's right little finger was caught between pipe wrench and gear box guard. His finger required 5 stiches and a fracture was found.

July 26, 2007 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee reports that he slipped and fell on the loadout stairway and injured left knee possible connective tissue damage. Employee notified management on 8/27/2007.

2006 · 1 incident

April 13, 2006 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Fall down stairs

Employee was descending a set of 3 steps. He tripped and fell into the handrails of another set of steps, breaking 3 ribs. Started losing time 4-14-06.

2004 · 1 incident

October 17, 2004 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Intrepid Potash-New Mexico, LLC · Struck against stationary object

Employee reached over a hand rail to pick up a V-Belt when he felt a sharp pain in his right side.

2003 · 1 incident

November 14, 2003 NM · Metal/Non-Metal

She slipped as she was exiting the haul truck and twisted her left ankle and knee. X-rays were negative. She continued to work but later stated that it was starting to swell and have pain and asked to see the Doctor again. She started losing time on 2-26-04.

2001 · 4 incidents

November 23, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by flying object

EE WAS CLEANING FEED BIN ABOVE #4 COMPACTOR FEED SCREW. THE ELECTRICIAN TOLD CREW THAT HE WAS GOING TO CLEAN MATERIAL FROM TOP OF BIN AND THEY SHOULD STAND CLEAR. A CHUNK FELL STRIKING A BAR, THE BAR FLEW UP AND STRUCK EE IN THE MOUTH & NOSE.

September 19, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS LOADING A TANKER TRUCK FROM THE BIN LEVEL. HE WAS WALKING ACROSS GRATING TO HAVE TRUCK DRIVER REPOSITION HIS TRUCK. HE TRIPPED ON A SLEDGE HAMMER LOSING HIS BALANCE. HE GRABBED THE HAND RAIL TO BREAK HIS FALL, INJURIN HIS SHOULDER.

July 26, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE HAD CHANGED MOTOR IN TUNNEL UNDER WAREHOUSES. REMOVING 4 WHEEL MOTOR DOLLY FROM MANHOLE. A 3" X 2" X 14" CHUNK OF CONCRETE FELL FROM MAN HOLE AND STRUCK LOWER LIP. THIS INJURY REQUIRE D 1 STITCH TO CLOSE. NO LOSS OF TIME. NO RESTRICTED WORK.

July 13, 2001 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

STEPPED THROUGH AN OPENING IN FLOOR GRATING AFTER GUARD HAD BEEN REMOVED. BROKE FALL WITH RIGHT ARM & INJURED SHOULDER (ROTARY CUFF TEAR). EE STARTED LOSING TIME 7/20/01.

2000 · 1 incident

December 22, 2000 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Mississippi Potash Inc · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

MECHANIC WAS SENT TO GAUGE ROLLER MILL SPACING. THE FEED WAS SHUT OFF THE MILL. THE MACHINE WAS SWITCHED OFF. THE MECHANIC PLACED GUAGE BETWEEN THE ROLLERS PRIOR TO ROLLERS STOPPING. HIS FINGE RS (SMALL, RING & MIDDLE) OF IS RIGHT HAND WERE DRAWN BETWEEN THE ROLLERS CAUSING THE 3 FINGERS TO BE CRUSHED. THIS INJURY RESULTED IN THE FIRST JOINT FINGER BEING LOST. THE REST SHOULD HEAL.

1995 · 1 incident

January 27, 1995 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Mississippi Potash Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE INITIALLY INJURED OVER 3 YRS. AGO. EE UNDERWENT AN EVALUATION BY DR. IN WHICH HE WAS REQUIRED NOT TO LIFT MORE THAN 10 POUNDS. THIS PRECLUDED EE FROM DOING HIS JOB DURING THIS TIME. EE EVAL UATED BY DR AFTER 30 DAYS AND RETURNED TO WORK.

1994 · 2 incidents

December 22, 1994 NM · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE LEAVING WORK AREA AT END OF SHIFT SOMETHING FELL INTO EYE WENT HOME WHERE HE ATTEMPTED TO FLUSH OBJECT FROM EYE. BECAME AWARE THAT OBJECT WAS NOT COMING OUT. CALLED SAFETY PERSONEL WA S ADVISED TO MEET PERSON AT DOCTOR'S OFFICE. EYE WAS SEDATED & AN OBJECT WAS REMOVED FROM EYE, EYE SHOWED NO APPARENT DAMAGE FROM FOREIGN

August 15, 1994 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck against stationary object

TWO MEN WERE PRYING A GUARD INTO PLACE AND THE GUARD SLIPPED OFF THE BAR MASHING THE MIDDLE FINGER REQUIRING 5 STITCHES.....

1993 · 2 incidents

June 17, 1993 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck against stationary object

HE WAS COMING FROM UNDER A RAILCAR AND RAISED UP. HE BUMPED HIS HEAD ON THE LOADING DOCK PLATFORM.

April 1, 1993 NM · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by flying object

EMPLOYEE WAS LOADING POTASH FROM WAREHOUSE PILE & WHILE BUCKET WAS IN UP POSITION FACE SLOUGHED OFF. THIS CAUSED FRONT OF LOADER TO BE PUSHED DOWN BREAKING WINDSHIELD. CAUSED 2 SMALL CUTS TO HIS LEFT HAND REQUIRING 2 STITCHES EA. EMPLOYEE WAS HOLDING TOP SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL WITH LEFT HAND & WINDSHIELD WAS CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL.

1990 · 1 incident

March 28, 1990 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS ORIGINALLY HIRED ON AS A B OPERATOR MINE IN 09-89 TEMPORARUY THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND DAY OF WORKING ON SURFACE IN LOADOUT HE WAS FEEDING POTASH INTO THE HOPPER THRU T HE LOADING SPOUT WHEN IT PUSHED HIM OFF THE SIDEOF THE CAR HE DID NOT HAVE A SAFETY LINE ON HE FELL APPROX 15FT

1989 · 6 incidents

September 25, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
Mississippi Potash Inc · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

WALKED UNDER A DOWNPOUR OF POTASH. THE POTASH WENT THROUGH THE SAFETY GLASSES AND INTO RIGHT EYE.

August 2, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal wireman, communications man STRIKING OR BUMPING
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck against stationary object

I WAS WALKING AROUND A CORNER AND A PICE OF RUSTY TIE WIRE PENETRATED MY ARM THROUGH A VEIN.

July 14, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WENT TO CHECK A TRANSFER CHUTE WHEN FELL SIDEWAYS INTO THE TRAP DOOR OPENING,HITTING RIGHT RIBS ON THE SIDE OF THE OPENING. THE TRAP DOOR HAD BEEN LEFT OPEN.

May 23, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Mississippi Potash Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

HAND RAIL BROKE, GAVE WAY AND INJURED FELL. EMP. ACCIDENTLY STEPPED ON HANDRAIL INSTEAD OF LADDER RUNG.

April 4, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS MOVING AROUND TRYING TO CHANGE GATE DOOR IN MATERIAL CHUTE. THE EMPLOYEE STATED MATERIAL WAS SPILLING AND HE WAS IN A HURRY TO CHANGE THE MATERIAL FLOW GATE.

March 23, 1989 NM · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Mississippi Potash Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CHANGING A HORSEPOWER ELECTRICAL MOTOR. AS HE WAS LIFTING AND PULLING THE MOTOR IN PLACE, THE EMPLOYEE SPRAINED HIS LOWER BACK MUSCLES.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Intrepid Potash North

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.