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.
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.
Of $445 in penalties contested before the Commission, $445 was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2026-01-22.
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.
When citations were contested
ⓘContesting a citation before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is a lawful right. These figures state the public outcomes of that process, from MSHA's Contested Violations file.
3citations taken to the federal commission · 10% of citations on record
Settled
2 · 67%
Stood as issued
1 · 33%
100%
S&S designation survived the contest
ⓘCounts a Significant & Substantial citation as surviving when a settlement or judge's decision kept the designation, or the contest was dismissed or defaulted so the citation stands as issued. Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.
of 2 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
0%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$445 proposed, $445 after decisions · industry: 39%
Source: MSHA Contested Violations file (public record), updated weekly. A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record. Latest contest filed 2010-05-19.
Contested penalties
ⓘA reduction or dismissal at the Commission is a lawful outcome of contesting a proposed penalty. Figures are the proposed amount and the amount upheld in the docket's decision.
Largest penalties this mine contested before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, with the outcome on record.
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: 2026-01-22
8%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
19
samples
12
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz121 over
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz3
Respirable dust, <.1mg2
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz2
Show the individual readings (19)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2021-06-09
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.66
1.47
1.13
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2026-01-22
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.64
0.75
0.85
Bagging Operator
2026-01-22
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.55
0.66
0.83
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2024-01-09
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.27
0.86
0.31
Bagging Operator
2024-01-09
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.34
1.25
0.27
Bagging Operator
2023-01-05
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.57
1.75
0.90
Bagging Operator
2022-04-21
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Forklift Operator
2022-04-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.08
2.08
0.52
Ball Mill Operator
2015-07-29
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Bagging Operator
2009-05-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.52
1.82
0.29
Dry Screen Plant Operator
2009-05-20
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.8
2.17
0.37
Bagging Operator
2007-11-29
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
3.7
Kiln/Dryer Operator
2007-11-29
Unlisted Particulate, total, <1% Qtz
2.53
Bagging Operator
2003-06-18
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.15
Utility Man
2003-06-18
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.58
Bagging Operator
2003-06-18
Unlisted Particulate, respirable, <1% Qtz
0.45
Bagging Operator
2002-01-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.83
1.91
0.43
Kiln/Dryer Operator
2002-01-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.37
2.84
0.48
Bagging Operator
2002-01-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.51
2.29
0.22
Bagging Operator
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.
Patterson Mine and Mill recorded 0.00 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2002.
Injury rate, 2002
ⓘ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 4.17 and the all-US-mining average was 5.05 cases per 100 workers.
In North Carolina, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 2.59 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
2002 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2001 *
9.39
9.39
0.000
2000 *
9.80
0.00
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
7
2025
6
2024
5
2023
4
2022
3
2021
3
2020
3
2019
3
2018
3
2017
3
2016
3
2015
3
2014
4
2013
2
2012
3
2011
4
2010
4
2009
5
2008
7
2007
7
2006
7
2005
7
2004
7
2003
8
2002
10
2001
10
2000
10
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Patterson Mine and Mill sits in Cleveland County, North Carolina, where the Census mining category is 0.2% 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.
Cleveland County, North Carolina · Population 100,170
0.2%
Mining share of county employment
$55,769
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
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, 2024NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 2022NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorOTHER
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, 2000NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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.
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, 1991NC · Metal/Non-Metalassistant mine foreman, assistant mine managerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
CHANGING CLOTH FEED IN LET TUBE ON SCREEN MACHINE SHARP METAL EDGE OF THE INLET FLANGE CUT THUMB
February 28, 1991NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
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, 1991NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 1990NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
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, 1990NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 1990NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorMACHINERY
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.
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, 1989NC · Metal/Non-Metalprep plant foreman, supervisor, mill plant supervisor, kiln supervisorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 1989NC · Metal/Non-Metalwarehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operatorHANDLING OF MATERIALS
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, 1987NC · Metal/Non-Metalmechanic helperMACHINERY
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.
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.
Related mines
Other mines operated by Imerys Mica Kings Mountain Inc.