Pacific Heights Pit has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $3K outstanding across 0 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.
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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
18
Years on record
1983–2016
Latest incident
Jun 2016
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
133
citations
16
significant & substantial
$22,319
proposed penalties
$19,332
paid to date
87% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $2,987 gap.
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.
Rate withheld: 707 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Pacific Heights Pit has $22K in proposed MSHA penalties and $3K outstanding across 0 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.
$22K
proposed penalties
$22K
current assessed
$19K
paid to date
$3K
outstanding
133 assessments are final orders; 0 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-04-15.
Source: MSHA assessed-violations and conference/litigation data, updated weekly.
Violation severity profile
ⓘShares are computed over citations that carry the MSHA gravity and negligence coding; a small share of records are uncoded.
Source: MSHA violations gravity and negligence coding, updated weekly.
Health sampling
ⓘA sample is a point in time compliance measurement, not an individual exposure history. These figures describe MSHA sampling records and do not establish causation or personal dose.
Metal and nonmetal contaminants (personal samples)
ⓘMany samples are screening measurements of substances with no applicable exposure limit; they are counted as samples but excluded from every over-limit figure. Over-limit shares use only limit-tested samples.
Last sampled: 2025-10-02
0%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
21
samples
5
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Respirable dust, <.1mg13
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz5
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz3
Show the individual readings (21)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2025-10-02
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-05-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.2
1.01
0.20
Laborer, Bullgang
2024-04-10
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2023-11-01
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2015-02-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2015-02-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Tractor Operator
2009-05-06
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Backhoe Operator
2009-05-06
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.29
Welder, etc.
2009-05-06
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2004-05-19
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.12
Utility Man
2004-05-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2002-11-20
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Washer Operator
2002-11-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.16
1.73
0.09
Belt Cleaner
2002-11-20
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.21
Truck Driver
2002-11-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.39
1.01
0.39
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2002-11-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.39
1.05
0.37
Utility Man
2001-02-07
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.24
1.43
0.17
Cleanup Man
2001-02-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Truck Driver
2001-02-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Crusher Oper/Worker
2001-02-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2001-02-07
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Supervisor, Co. Official
Source: MSHA respirable dust, quartz, and noise sampling records, updated weekly. Metal/nonmetal contaminant figures come from MSHA's Personal Health Samples and Area Samples files (public record), updated weekly.
Pacific Heights Pit recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2008.
Injury rate, 2008
ⓘThis rate is reportable injury cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers per year, computed as 200,000 times cases divided by MSHA operator-reported employee-hours. Cases are injuries MSHA graded degree 01 through 07; accident-only events that hurt no one are excluded, and so are contractor injuries, whose hours do not attach to a single mine. Rates begin in 2000, when quarterly employment reporting starts, and are withheld below 20,000 hours in a year.
0.00
total case rate
0.00
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Below average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 3.15 and the all-US-mining average was 3.61 cases per 100 workers.
In California, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 3.34 cases per 100 workers that year.
Under 100,000 employee-hours were reported that year, so a single case moves the rate by two or more. Read the figure as approximate.
Year
total case rate
days-away
fatal
2008 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2007 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2006 *
3.82
0.00
0.000
2005 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2004 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2003 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2002 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2001 *
2.76
2.76
0.000
* Fewer than 100,000 employee-hours that year; the rate is less stable.
Source: injury cases from MSHA accident and injury records; employee-hours from MSHA quarterly employment reports. Rate is cases per 100 full-time-equivalent workers, operator employees only.
Source: MSHA controller and operator history, updated weekly.
Workforce and production
Year
Employees
2026
5
2025
9
2024
12
2023
9
2022
7
2021
6
2020
7
2019
2
2018
5
2017
7
2016
8
2015
7
2014
5
2012
0
2011
3
2010
12
2009
7
2008
19
2007
35
2006
30
2005
23
2004
21
2003
31
2002
33
2001
45
2000
45
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Pacific Heights Pit sits in Butte County, California, where the Census mining category is 0.1% of county employment.
Local economic context
ⓘCounty figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, 5-year pooled estimates, so the 2023 vintage covers 2019 through 2023. The Census category is 'mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction', which is broader than MSHA jurisdiction and includes oil and gas workers no mine employs. These figures describe the surrounding county, not this mine, and are not a factor in any specific incident.
Butte County, California · Population 209,470
0.1%
Mining share of county employment
$68,574
Median household income
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates.
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
2026 Q2
3,672
4
0
1089.3
2026 Q1
3,023
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
4,240
4
0
943.4
2025 Q3
5,111
0
0
0.0
2025 Q2
4,231
1
0
236.4
2025 Q1
2,489
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
3,279
1
0
305.0
2024 Q3
4,299
0
0
0.0
Show 89 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
6,282
3
0
477.6
2024 Q1
1,966
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
3,799
0
0
0.0
2023 Q3
5,701
4
0
701.6
2023 Q2
4,177
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
1,536
0
0
0.0
2022 Q4
2,128
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
6,232
7
0
1123.2
2022 Q2
4,460
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
1,821
0
0
0.0
2021 Q4
1,993
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
4,027
0
0
0.0
2021 Q2
1,400
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
640
4
0
6250.0
2020 Q4
2,779
0
0
0.0
2020 Q3
3,468
0
0
0.0
2020 Q2
2,064
4
0
1938.0
2020 Q1
1,036
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
639
0
0
0.0
2019 Q3
1,096
0
0
0.0
2019 Q2
1,063
0
0
0.0
2018 Q3
1,319
0
0
0.0
2018 Q2
2,965
0
0
0.0
2018 Q1
2,167
2
0
922.9
2017 Q4
3,349
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
3,909
0
0
0.0
2017 Q2
3,318
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
1,649
1
0
606.4
2016 Q4
3,501
1
0
285.6
2016 Q3
4,229
0
0
0.0
2016 Q2
4,300
5
1
1162.8
2016 Q1
1,854
0
0
0.0
2015 Q4
2,724
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
2,419
0
0
0.0
2015 Q2
2,352
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
2,044
0
0
0.0
2014 Q4
1,633
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
1,690
0
0
0.0
2014 Q2
1,948
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
0
0
0
2012 Q1
0
0
0
2011 Q4
1,078
1
0
927.6
2011 Q3
1,850
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
0
0
0
2011 Q1
0
0
0
2010 Q4
2,398
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
5,533
0
0
0.0
2010 Q2
5,362
6
2
1119.0
2010 Q1
2,718
3
0
1103.8
2009 Q4
2,583
0
0
0.0
2009 Q3
5,048
0
0
0.0
2009 Q2
3,945
0
0
0.0
2009 Q1
0
0
0
2008 Q4
5,330
0
0
0.0
2008 Q3
8,796
0
0
0.0
2008 Q2
7,605
0
0
0.0
2008 Q1
8,748
4
0
457.2
2007 Q4
12,666
0
0
0.0
2007 Q3
20,952
0
0
0.0
2007 Q2
17,164
2
0
116.5
2007 Q1
11,927
0
0
0.0
2006 Q4
13,877
3
0
216.2
2006 Q3
18,269
0
0
0.0
2006 Q2
12,834
3
0
233.8
2006 Q1
7,371
2
0
271.3
2005 Q4
11,471
0
0
0.0
2005 Q3
15,085
0
0
0.0
2005 Q2
13,210
0
0
0.0
2005 Q1
8,467
0
0
0.0
2004 Q4
8,449
1
0
118.4
2004 Q3
21,475
0
0
0.0
2004 Q2
11,311
3
0
265.2
2004 Q1
6,622
0
0
0.0
2003 Q4
8,202
3
0
365.8
2003 Q3
15,185
0
0
0.0
2003 Q2
13,884
0
0
0.0
2003 Q1
9,880
0
0
0.0
2002 Q4
13,001
2
0
153.8
2002 Q3
17,376
0
0
0.0
2002 Q2
17,500
0
0
0.0
2002 Q1
11,196
1
0
89.3
2001 Q4
16,508
4
0
242.3
2001 Q3
20,565
5
3
243.1
2001 Q2
19,041
0
0
0.0
2001 Q1
16,282
4
0
245.7
2000 Q4
16,664
0
0
0.0
2000 Q3
18,698
0
0
0.0
2000 Q2
18,158
22
5
1211.6
2000 Q1
10,752
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
18 on file
2016 · 1 incident
June 17, 2016CA · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerFALLING/SLIDING/ROLLING MATERIALS
EE was inspecting the portable crushing/screen. EE's hand was resting on the I-Beam when a rock struck EE's finger tip resulting in a laceration. The rock fell from the screen above approximately three feet striking EE's finger tip.
2006 · 1 incident
March 13, 2006CA · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING TO CLEAR THE COBBLE BELT AT THE SCREEN PLANT. HE WAS COMING BACK DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BELT. HE RUBBED HIS HAND OVER A WASP NEST THAT WAS UNDER THE BELT. THIS CAUSED WASPS TO STING HIM SEVEN TIMES BEFORE HE COULD GET AWAY FROM THEM. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN OTHER THAN TO WARN EMPLOYEES TO BE AWARE OF THE NESTS AND TO SPRAY THEM FOR ERADICATION OF WASPS.
2000 · 3 incidents
August 4, 2000CA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS A DRIVER ON A HEAVY HAUL TRUCK (EUCLID B70. IN MAY 1999 EMPLOYEE COMPLAINED OF BACK PAIN DUE TO THE TRUCK. WE TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEE TO THE SHOP AS A MECHANIC.
January 25, 2000CA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING AN ASPHALT SHUTE AT THE HOT PLANT. METAL SCRAPING BAR GOT CAUGHT ON A SLATCAUSING IT TO SLAP EMP UP BESIDE THE HEAD BREAKING RT JAW BONE. A GUARD HAD BEEN REMOVED TO PERF ORM THIS JOB. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED.
1995 · 2 incidents
June 29, 1995CA · Metal/Non-Metalquality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistantHANDLING OF MATERIALS
A WASP LANDED IN THE EMPLOYEE'S HAIR, CAUSING HIM TO SWING AT THE WASP.WHILE HIS ARM WAS STILL SWINGING IT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SHARP BOTTOM EDGE OF THE TESTING SCREENS, CAUSING THE INJU RY THAT REQUIRED THREE STITCHES.
April 27, 1995CA · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
EMPLOYEE WAS HELPING TO REPAIR A CRUSHER AT THE CRUSHING PLANT. A BRASS BUSHING SLIPPED AND CAUGHT HIS RIGHT INDEX FINGER. EMPLOYEE REQUIRED APPROX. 8 STITCHES ON HIS FINGER.
1994 · 1 incident
March 24, 1994CA · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
EMPL WAS OPERATING CAT DOZER HE STATED THAT SHIFTING GEARS HAD CAUSED LEFT ARM & SHOULDER TO HURT. EMPL STATES HE DID THIS ON OR ABOUT 4/19/91 HOWEVER HE CONTINUED TO WORK. HE WENT TO DR ON SU NDAY 4/21/91. HE AGAIN RETURNED TO WORK WITHOUT INFORMING US. HIS LAST DAY WORKED WAS 5/2/91. RETURNED TO WORK ON 7/1/91 OFF AGAIN ON 7/15/91 BECAUSE EVEN AT MODIFIED WORK HE CONTINUED TO HAV
January 23, 1991CA · Metal/Non-Metalbelt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisorOTHER
EMPL WAS WORKING IN SHOP REPAIRING & SUPERVISING REPAIRING WHEN HE BECAME DIZZY & PASSED OUT FOR FEW SECONDS. RUSHED HIM BY AMBULANCE TO EMERGENCY WHERE POSSIBLE HEART ATTACK WAS CONFIRMED. AF TER COMPLETE DIANOSIS WAS FINALIZED DEFINITE HEART ATTACK WAS RULED CAUSE & EMPL HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY PERFORMED.
1984 · 1 incident
April 2, 1984CA · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorPOWERED HAULAGE
THERE WERE NO UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT CAUSED BY EMPLOYEES NOT PERFORMING LOCK OUT SAFETY ROCEDURES ON CONVEYORS. ONLY ONE EMPLOYEE INJURED.