Mining Incidents

Patterson Mine and Mill Metal/Non-Metal

Controlled by Imerys S A
Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, NC  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3100274

Patterson Mine and Mill has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
20
Years on record
1984–2025
Latest incident
Dec 2025
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
31
citations
7
significant & substantial
$3,880
proposed penalties
$3,880
paid to date
100% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $0 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
61
inspections on record
625
inspection hours
n/a
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: 625 inspection hours is too few for a stable rate. A minimum of 1,000 inspection hours is required.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Patterson Mine and Mill has $4K in proposed MSHA penalties and $0 outstanding across 2 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.
$4K
proposed penalties
$4K
current assessed
$4K
paid to date
$0
outstanding
30 assessments are final orders; 2 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-01-22.
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 1,771 1 0 564.7
2025 Q3 2,411 0 0 0.0
2025 Q2 3,325 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 3,452 1 0 289.7
2024 Q4 2,854 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 2,706 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 2,577 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 2,401 0 0 0.0
Show 92 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 1,560 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 1,842 0 0 0.0
2023 Q2 2,172 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 1,942 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 1,656 0 0 0.0
2022 Q3 1,504 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 1,532 2 0 1305.5
2022 Q1 1,357 0 0 0.0
2021 Q4 1,000 1 0 1000.0
2021 Q3 1,614 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 1,603 1 0 623.8
2021 Q1 1,475 0 0 0.0
2020 Q4 1,218 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 1,330 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 1,151 0 0 0.0
2020 Q1 1,738 1 0 575.4
2019 Q4 1,595 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 1,535 0 0 0.0
2019 Q2 1,463 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 1,816 1 0 550.7
2018 Q4 1,338 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 1,350 0 0 0.0
2018 Q2 1,021 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 1,030 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 1,216 0 0 0.0
2017 Q3 1,455 0 0 0.0
2017 Q2 1,410 1 0 709.2
2017 Q1 1,726 0 0 0.0
2016 Q4 1,291 1 0 774.6
2016 Q3 1,592 1 0 628.1
2016 Q2 1,837 0 0 0.0
2016 Q1 1,887 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 819 0 0 0.0
2015 Q3 1,132 0 0 0.0
2015 Q2 2,130 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 1,451 0 0 0.0
2014 Q4 1,800 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 96 0 0 0.0
2013 Q3 1,054 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 1,186 1 0 843.2
2013 Q1 120 0 0 0.0
2012 Q3 0 0 0
2012 Q2 1,594 0 0 0.0
2012 Q1 2,145 1 0 466.2
2011 Q4 1,456 0 0 0.0
2011 Q3 2,126 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 2,196 0 0 0.0
2011 Q1 1,792 1 0 558.0
2010 Q4 1,415 0 0 0.0
2010 Q3 2,188 1 0 457.0
2010 Q2 2,377 0 0 0.0
2010 Q1 2,212 3 2 1356.2
2009 Q4 1,445 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 1,732 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 1,810 0 0 0.0
2009 Q1 2,660 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 2,702 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 3,334 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 3,637 0 0 0.0
2008 Q1 3,741 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 4,206 1 0 237.8
2007 Q3 3,874 1 1 258.1
2007 Q2 3,652 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 3,765 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 3,819 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 3,937 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 3,396 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 3,277 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 3,839 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 3,719 0 0 0.0
2005 Q2 3,890 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 3,755 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 4,021 0 0 0.0
2004 Q3 3,999 1 1 250.1
2004 Q2 3,882 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 3,749 0 0 0.0
2003 Q4 3,699 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 3,096 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 4,224 0 0 0.0
2003 Q1 4,306 0 0 0.0
2002 Q4 4,942 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 6,928 1 1 144.3
2002 Q2 5,677 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 6,225 2 0 321.3
2001 Q4 5,280 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 5,380 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 5,350 1 0 186.9
2001 Q1 5,290 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 4,714 2 1 424.3
2000 Q3 5,355 0 0 0.0
2000 Q2 5,449 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 4,893 0 0 0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

20 on file

2025 · 2 incidents

December 23, 2025 NC · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
Imerys Mica Kings Mountain Inc. · Struck by powered moving object

A compressed system was installed. While energizing with compressed air, an air leak occurred in the piping. The failure caused the piping and the receiver tank to collapse. While escaping the area, an employee was struck in the back by a manlift, causing them to fall. During the fall, they struck their head and sustained a head laceration that required stitches.

2024 · 1 incident

June 21, 2024 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Mica Kings Mountain Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee states was bagging 50 lb paper bags, on the 8th row of the pallet when rotating to stack the bag when EE felt pain. The pain felt to have come from EE's back, to neck, to shoulder. Management wasn't aware that it was work related until employee brought a doctor's note on 7/1/24.

2022 · 1 incident

September 26, 2022 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Imerys Mica Kings Mountain Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Death due to natural causes. Pulmonary Embolism

2001 · 1 incident

January 18, 2001 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Oglebay Norton Specialty Mineral · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CLEANING OUT A SMALL BIN UNDER A DUST COLLECTOR WHERE MICA MATERIAL HAD PACKED OFF ABOVE THE ROTARY VALVE. HE PLACED HIS ARM AND HAND THROUGH A SMALL OPENING IN THE BIN TO STIR AND DISL ODGE THE MATERIAL AND HIS RIGHT HAND FINGER CONTACTED ROTARY VALVE CAUSING A PARTIAL AMPUTATION ABOVE 1ST KNUCKLE TO INDEX & MIDDLE FINGERS. EE FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND LOCKOUT THE ROTARY VALVE

2000 · 1 incident

March 4, 2000 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Oglebay Norton Specialty Mineral · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BREAKING DOWN A 4' X 4' CARDBOARD BOX TO DISPOSE IN THE DUMPSTER. WHEN HE PULLED THE SIDE PANEL APART AT THE CORNER HE CAUGHT HIS LEFT THUMB ON AN OPEN STAPLE CAUSING AN INCH LONG LACER ATION. THE LACARATION REQUIRED SUTURES TO CLOSE IT.

1992 · 1 incident

June 16, 1992 NC · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Kmg Minerals Inc · Accident type, without injuries

THE MILL WAS OPERATING WITH FOUR EMPLOYEE. THE FOREMAN NAME BELOW HAD WALKED THRU AND VACATED THE AIR COMPRESSOR ROOM TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGNATED IN THE COMP ROOM AND CON SUMED THE WOOD CONSTRUCTION BUILDING IN APPROX. 1 1/2 HOURS ALL EE SAFETY VACATED THE BUILDING AND WERE UNHURT PRELMINARY CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS THE JOY AIR COMP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE FAILURE A

1991 · 3 incidents

October 7, 1991 NC · Metal/Non-Metal assistant mine foreman, assistant mine manager HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

CHANGING CLOTH FEED IN LET TUBE ON SCREEN MACHINE SHARP METAL EDGE OF THE INLET FLANGE CUT THUMB

February 28, 1991 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Kmg Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

ASSISTING IN CLEARING BLOCKAGE IN VALVE OPER ROTARY VALVE BELOW BOX DISCHARGE OUTLET MACHINE NOT SHUT OFF FALLING MATERIAL FORCED EMP HAND IN ROTATING VALVE CAUSING THE INJ

February 15, 1991 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPL REPORTED ACCIDENT 32/15/91 WAS SEEN BY DR & WAS PRESCRIBED MEDICINE. HE WAS NOT SCHEDULED TO RETURN UNTIL 2/18. HE WORKED THRU 2/22 WITH PROGRESSING DIFFICULTY WITH BACK WAS SENT HOME 2/2 2 BY SUPERVISOR. EMPL RETURNED TO WORK 2/25 AGAIN SAW DR & WORKED UNTIL 3/1 UPON FOLLOW UP VIIT TO DR. DR RECOMMENDED EMPL STAY OUT OF WORK 3/5 DAYS.

1990 · 4 incidents

December 4, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Kmg Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING PRY BAR TO DISMANTLE SCREEN BASE, PRY BAR SLIPPED AND STRUCK EMPLOYEE IN MOUTH BREAKING TWO UPPER FRONT TEETH. DENTAL TREATMENT REQUIRED.

November 28, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING IN REPAIRS TO MICRONIZER GRINDING MACHINE AND IN LIFTING/MOVING STEEL PARTS EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED HERNIA. EMPLOYEE TO SURIGICAL REPAIR 12/6/90 WITH 4-6 WEEKS LOST TIME BEFO RE RETURNING TO JOB.

August 9, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Kmg Minerals Inc · Flash burns (welding)

EE IN THE AREA OF MAINTENCE WELDING TO THE AIR GRINDING MILL AND SUFFERED WELDING ARC FLASH BURNS TO BOTH EYES. MEDICAL TREATMENT INCLUDED OINTMENT AND EYE PATCH.

February 6, 1990 NC · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS REMOVING METAL COVER PLATE ON AIR COMPRESSOR IN ORDER TO CHANGE SEPERATOR FILTER AND STRAINED RIGHT SIDE.DIAGNOSED BY PHYSICIAN AS RIGHT INGUINAL HERNIA-SURGICALLY REPAIRED 02-20- 90.

1989 · 4 incidents

October 4, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WAS ASSISTING IN LIFTING MOTOR INTO POSTION APPROX. 40 INCHES ABOVE FLOOR LEVEL TO FASTEN TO MOUNTING BASE. EMPLOYEE NOTICED MUSCLE STRAIN IN GROIN ARE FOLLOWING REPAIR WORK.

August 30, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPL WAS LIFTING AND STACKING 50LB MICA BAGS ONTO WOODEN PALLET AND STRAINED BACK MUSCLE

March 21, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal welder (shop) SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Kmg Minerals Inc · Fall from ladders

EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING ON LADDER INSTALLING AND WELDING ON SCREW CONVEYOR, HIS FOOT SLIPPED AND HE FELL AGAINST THE LADDER CAUSING RIB INJURY.

February 4, 1989 NC · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Kmg Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE HAD REMOVED DISCHARGE CHECK VALVE FROM AIR COMPRESSOR AND WAS PLACING IT ON TOP OF OIL DRUM AWAY FROM COMPRESSOR IN ORDER TO CHANGE SEPERATE FILTER ELEMENT.AS HE PLACED VALVE ON DRUM IN ORDER TO CHANGE SEPERATOR FILTER ELEMENT.AS HE PLACED VALVE ON DRUM THE VLAVE SLIPPED AND THE METAL TUBING FITTING ON VALVE CUT ACROSS TOP OF EMPLOYEES HAND CAUSING THE INJURY.

1987 · 1 incident

August 4, 1987 NC · Metal/Non-Metal mechanic helper MACHINERY
Kmg Minerals Inc · Flash burns (welding)

EE WAS ASSISTIN1 WELDER IN WELDING 4" PIPES TOGETHER WITH PORTABLE GASOLINE ARC WELDER & WAS SUBJECTED TO WELDING FLASH WHICH CAUSED BURNS TO EE'S EYES.

1984 · 1 incident

May 22, 1984 NC · Metal/Non-Metal prep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisor MACHINERY
Kmg Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE REMOVED V/BELT DRIVE GUARD ON BAGGING MACHINE FOLLOWING ELECTRIC FAILURE TO PRODUCT MATERIAL BLOCKAGE IN MACHINE. AFTER REMOVING GAURD EE MANUALLY TURNED V-BELT DRIVE TO FREE THE BLOCKAGE & A SECOND EE ASSISTING IN REPAIR MISTAKENLY RESET ELECTRIC SWITCH CAUSING MACHINE TO START. 1ST EES LEFT INDEX FINGER CAUGHT IN V-BELT DRIVE RESULTING IN THE INJURY.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Patterson Mine and Mill

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.