Mining Incidents

Lee Smith Metal/Non-Metal

Jerritt Canyon Gold LLC · Underground
Elko, Elko County, NV  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 2602397

Lee Smith has $174K in proposed MSHA penalties and $181 outstanding across 3 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
1
Total incidents
50
Years on record
2002–2023
Latest incident
Feb 2023
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
600
citations
113
significant & substantial
$174,387
proposed penalties
$160,217
paid to date
92% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $14,170 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
150
inspections on record
4,416
inspection hours
13.6
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.
600 citations across 4,416 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Lee Smith has $174K in proposed MSHA penalties and $181 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.
$174K
proposed penalties
$160K
current assessed
$160K
paid to date
$181
outstanding
592 assessments are final orders; 3 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2023-03-10.
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 0 0 0
2025 Q3 0 0 0
2025 Q2 0 0 0
2025 Q1 0 0 0
2024 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q4 0 0 0
2023 Q3 0 0 0
2023 Q2 10,397 0 0 0.0
Show 89 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q1 51,037 7 2 137.2
2022 Q4 63,489 2 0 31.5
2022 Q3 62,434 2 0 32.0
2022 Q2 54,716 2 0 36.6
2022 Q1 56,626 3 0 53.0
2021 Q4 65,586 7 1 106.7
2021 Q3 67,168 5 0 74.4
2021 Q2 53,646 6 1 111.8
2021 Q1 61,000 3 0 49.2
2020 Q4 43,880 7 1 159.5
2020 Q3 55,708 9 1 161.6
2020 Q2 47,294 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 55,443 4 0 72.1
2019 Q4 43,374 5 1 115.3
2019 Q3 46,178 8 0 173.2
2019 Q2 35,240 6 0 170.3
2019 Q1 36,596 10 3 273.3
2018 Q4 22,860 10 3 437.4
2018 Q3 45,995 3 0 65.2
2018 Q2 41,501 5 0 120.5
2018 Q1 47,448 4 3 84.3
2017 Q4 40,597 2 1 49.3
2017 Q3 41,730 9 4 215.7
2017 Q2 42,756 1 0 23.4
2017 Q1 46,583 6 0 128.8
2016 Q4 40,295 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 48,028 1 0 20.8
2016 Q2 46,693 2 0 42.8
2016 Q1 35,906 4 0 111.4
2015 Q4 37,378 4 0 107.0
2015 Q3 37,499 6 3 160.0
2015 Q2 43,820 16 3 365.1
2015 Q1 36,033 4 1 111.0
2014 Q4 44,856 3 1 66.9
2014 Q3 39,127 1 0 25.6
2014 Q2 49,526 3 0 60.6
2014 Q1 41,201 4 0 97.1
2013 Q4 44,068 5 2 113.5
2013 Q3 52,136 6 0 115.1
2013 Q2 51,595 3 1 58.1
2013 Q1 40,869 8 0 195.7
2012 Q4 47,172 20 2 424.0
2012 Q3 38,769 3 0 77.4
2012 Q2 45,498 3 0 65.9
2012 Q1 34,038 2 0 58.8
2011 Q4 35,887 7 0 195.1
2011 Q3 30,741 4 0 130.1
2011 Q2 19,782 3 2 151.7
2011 Q1 24,861 13 2 522.9
2010 Q4 33,348 13 7 389.8
2010 Q3 30,040 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 21,350 5 3 234.2
2010 Q1 16,199 10 5 617.3
2009 Q4 933 2 0 2143.6
2008 Q3 12,198 3 1 245.9
2008 Q2 34,225 5 1 146.1
2008 Q1 32,362 26 5 803.4
2007 Q4 29,640 5 1 168.7
2007 Q3 24,891 13 6 522.3
2007 Q2 22,913 2 1 87.3
2007 Q1 24,129 4 2 165.8
2006 Q4 23,867 10 6 419.0
2006 Q3 38,860 10 0 257.3
2006 Q2 40,028 6 1 149.9
2006 Q1 38,454 6 0 156.0
2005 Q4 41,369 18 3 435.1
2005 Q3 43,039 12 1 278.8
2005 Q2 38,130 38 12 996.6
2005 Q1 41,856 16 1 382.3
2004 Q4 46,086 12 0 260.4
2004 Q3 36,493 4 0 109.6
2004 Q2 33,093 3 0 90.7
2004 Q1 30,989 4 0 129.1
2003 Q4 25,815 6 0 232.4
2003 Q3 24,905 9 1 361.4
2003 Q2 26,119 6 1 229.7
2003 Q1 24,503 32 4 1306.0
2002 Q4 23,291 8 2 343.5
2002 Q3 24,986 14 6 560.3
2002 Q2 22,990 5 0 217.5
2002 Q1 19,524 8 0 409.8
2001 Q4 16,757 7 2 417.7
2001 Q3 15,552 4 1 257.2
2001 Q2 11,682 6 1 513.6
2001 Q1 9,456 3 0 317.3
2000 Q4 10,067 2 0 198.7
2000 Q3 9,906 5 0 504.7
2000 Q2 8,156 5 1 613.0
2000 Q1 5,157 2 0 387.8

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded

Reportable incidents

49 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2023 · 1 incident

February 22, 2023 NV · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman POWERED HAULAGE
Small Mine Development LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Electricians were changing a fuse on the pressure washer. The electrician was at the back of the truck when the wash bay tech got out of the forklift to talk to the electrician. The wash bay tech failed to set the parking brake or to put the bucket down. The forklift freewheeled, pinning the EE between the forklift and the truck.

2022 · 1 incident

March 30, 2022 NV · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Small Mine Development LLC · Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking from truck to the administration building when employee became dizzy and fell. When employee fell employee struck face on the front of a bumper on a parked ATV.

2020 · 2 incidents

April 25, 2020 NV · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by falling object

Employee was checking for a hydraulic leak when the hood came down and struck EE's right hand that was between the hood and the cab.

2019 · 1 incident

2018 · 1 incident

June 20, 2018 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by flying object

While repairing a broken bracket on air door, employee was using a grinder and welder. At some point in the evening the employee thought EE had some dust in EE's right eye and reported it to EE's supervisor, who took EE into the doctor. The doctor at ER removed foreign object.

2016 · 1 incident

July 21, 2016 NV · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by falling object

EE was struck by a rock from the face while installing color pipe in the lifters. EE was bent over and was struck in the back of the head and neck. EE received 9 stiches on the top of head

2015 · 1 incident

January 30, 2015 NV · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a haul truck and strained his back. EE went to a specialist on 2/4/15 and was giving a light duty release for his strained back.

2013 · 3 incidents

July 14, 2013 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While driving the pin from a ripper shank, the pin punch splintered resulting in a small laceration to the left thumb.

January 3, 2013 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The mechanic's wrench slipped off a bolt while tightening, striking his right cheek which resulted in a laceration. 5 stitches were required.

January 3, 2013 NV · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Small Mine Development LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

He had his right arm hanging out of cab smashing his arm between the truck and side of drift.

2012 · 3 incidents

November 15, 2012 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Removing jammed bolt from bolter when the bolt plate slid down the bolt striking his right hand requiring sutures.

January 8, 2012 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Small Mine Development LLC · Over-exertion in lifting objects

While unloading supplies he pulled on bundle of rock bolts and felt a pop in his left arm. He had surgery to repair a bicep ligament separation at the elbow.

2011 · 2 incidents

December 3, 2011 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Small Mine Development LLC · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Removing re-mix lid when it slipped cutting his index and middle finger requiring sutures.

March 20, 2011 NV · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Small Mine Development LLC · Fall to the walkway or working surface

A stack of wire (13) was lying against the rib. When employee removed one wire, the others fell on him, knocking him unconscious for a short time. He received a concussion.

2010 · 2 incidents

July 13, 2010 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Small Mine Development LLC · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While unplugging a shotcrete hose, cement sprayed in his face. He received medical treatment 7/28/10.

2008 · 7 incidents

July 1, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal master mechanic, foreman, supervisor HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Was cutting up a Tie down strap that was frayed. The knife cut through his shirt and cut his right upper abdomen. Took him to the hospital and he needed stitches.

March 25, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Escape Hoist in Zone 2 was missing the tube block. So they downed the Escape Hoist at 4:00 P.M. and brought it back up at 5:00 P.M. that same night. No miners trapped or injuried.

March 19, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Hydrolic system on the Escape Hoist at Zone 4 wasn't working properly. So took the Escape Hoist out of service until the system could be repaired. No miners trapped or injuried. Hoist back up at 5:30 P.M. on 3/20/08.

February 29, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Romoving barricade, untied rope and pulled rope and he struck his hand on the Rib, causing it to cut his hand.

February 22, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Escape Hoist went down with a Hydraulic Pump in Zone 4. Moved the mine crews over to Zone 2 and Zone 7 where the Escape Hoist was working, until we could get our hoist running in Zone 4. Got the hoist back up at 11:30 PM that night and the mine crew was able to return to Zone 4. No miner trapped or injured.

January 15, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Our secondary escape hoist (For Zone 2)was inoperable do to Ice build up in the raise. Pulled EE'S out of the Zone 2 & reversed intake fan to exhaust fan & thawed the ice. Hoist was put back into operation on 1/16/08 at approx. 12:16 Pm. This mine has 3 different escape hoists at this Mine site, please do not say this is a duplicate and reject this 7001 report.

January 5, 2008 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Emergency Escape hoist for Zone 7 became unoperational due to an malfunction of electrical power. We pulled the miners out of the Zone and put them into another Zone. There were no one injured or trapped during this time. Power was restored on 1/7/08 at 3:05 PM.

2007 · 4 incidents

December 19, 2007 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Escape Hoist went down with a Hydrolic Pump in Zone 4. We moved the mine crews over to Zone 2 where the Escape Hoist is working, until we get our hoist running in Zone 4.

August 1, 2007 NV · Metal/Non-Metal section foreman, bullgang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, shift boss SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Was loading a face round and stumbled over a rock and caught himself with his hand and cut himself.

2006 · 6 incidents

November 10, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss OTHER
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was taking a shower and became light-headed and pulse rate was high. Employee thought he might be having a heart attack and went to ER by himself. Doctor could not find anything wrong with heart and asked him if there anything out of the ordinary that happen that day and employee said that the chlorine in the shower water was strong.

October 27, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Was walking and using a pry bar as a walking stick in his right hand and carrying tools in his left hand. The bar stuck in some wire. He jerked on it and pulled his shoulder injuring it.

August 14, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal mechanic helper HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Was changing the oil on a Kubota tractor. While taking the oil plug off the oil pan his wrench slipped off of the oil plug and he struck the frame of the Kubota, causing numness to his left wrist and hand.

June 24, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drift miner HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was hanging ventilation tube; he was about to install a bolt in the support chain. When he pulled on the chain for more slack his hand caught on the expanded metal used for ground support cutting his left ring finger. He was taken to surface where his cut was cleaned then he was transported to the hospital where he received 9 stitches.

June 24, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Person was turning screw bolt for the back door of an underground cement carrier truck when his wrench slipped off of the bolt and he hit his back of hand above the thumb on a steel guardrail post.

March 21, 2006 NV · Metal/Non-Metal HOISTING
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Had escape raise hoist's squirrel cage go through the limit switch on top and break off both limit switches brackets and shut the escape hoist down. We had to send a person up on a snow mobile to check it out. Hoist was down, until we could open the road up to the top of raise and get a boom truck up to the top raise and repair it.

2005 · 7 incidents

December 22, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Caught left pinky finger between power box and rib. Bent finger back, dislocating it and chipping the bone.

November 8, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal drill helper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Fall from machine

Employee was placing a piece of drill steel on the flat bed truck when he lost his footing and fell backwards to the ground. Conditions at the time of accident were dry. Employee has pain in lower back. X-rays taken show no fractures.

July 14, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck by falling object

Employee states he was reaching into the passenger compartment to retrieve a lunch box as he was pulling on the box a large piece of pipe fell on his right hand smashing his right ring finger.

June 23, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Miner was mucking a raise bore vent raise and mucked below the brow. A piece of loose rock rolled down the muck pile and struck the miner on his hard hat. The hat caused a laceration on the miner's forehead.

May 20, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man MACHINERY
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck by falling object

EE HAD PULLED A 15 PASSENGER VAN INTO THE SHOP TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR. HE CRAWLED UNDER THE VAN AND RAISED IT WITH A SMALL HYDRAULIC JACK. AS HE CRAWLED UNDER IT AGAIN TO RAISE IT HIGHER, IT ROLLED OFF OF THE JACK AND CRUSHED HIM.

May 18, 2005 NV · Metal/Non-Metal truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck against a moving object

EE was operating TRK #86 at the smith mine and on his way out of the mine in the main when he hit some pot holes causing him to strike the top of the cab with his hand hat.

2004 · 4 incidents

December 7, 2004 NV · Metal/Non-Metal longwall operator, chock operator, shear operator, plow operator MACHINERY
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

WHILE RETRIEVING THE CORE FROM A 45 DEGREE UPHOLE, EMPLOYEE UNSCREWED THE STUFFING BOX. THE OVERSHOT & STUFFING BOX CAME DOWN W/SOME FORCE & PINCHED HIS RT. HAND TO THE ROD SADDLE. THE BONES BETWEEN THE RT. THUMB & WRIST ARE SPLINTERED.

August 14, 2004 NV · Metal/Non-Metal roof bolter, rock bolter, pinner, mobile roof support operator (mrs) MACHINERY
Queenstake Resources U.S.A., Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS SITTING IN THE TAMROCK BOLTER WHEN A LARGE BOULDER FELL OUT OF THE BACK AND CRUSHED THE CAB DOWN ONTO HIM.

January 2, 2004 NV · Metal/Non-Metal

EE WAS HEADING DOWN THE MAIN IN A TRUCK WHEN HE APPARENTLY HIT A BUMP CAUSING HIS CAP LAMP TO DISLODGED FROM HIS HARD HAT AND STRIKE HIM IN THE MOUTH.

2003 · 1 incident

March 21, 2003 NV · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Anglogold (Jerritt Canyon) Corp · Fall to the walkway or working surface

THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON 3/21/03. EMPLOYEE WORKED ON & ON BUT THE ANKLE INJURY NEVER FULLY RECOVERED. SURGERY WAS REQUIRED ON 9/2/03 AT WHICH TIME HE STARTED MISSING WORK.

2002 · 2 incidents

August 13, 2002 NV · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Anglogold (Jerritt Canyon) Corp · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ASSIST ANOTHER EE LIFTING A PANEL OF WIRE WITHOUT GLOVES. EE THE LEFT MIDDLE FINGER LACERATION. HE DID NOT GO TO DR UNTIL 8-23-02.

April 13, 2002 NV · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler MACHINERY
Anglogold (Jerritt Canyon) Corp · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE WAS STANDING ON THE GROUND OPERATING THE MUCKER BY REMOTE CONTROL. HE BACKED MUCKER UP TOO CLOSE TO HIMSELF. MUCKER ROLLED BACK PINNING HIS LEFT FOOT AGAINST THE RIB AS HE RAISED IT TO PROT ECT HIMSELF FROM THE TRUCK.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Lee Smith

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.