Mining Incidents

Santa Rita Plan Metal/Non-Metal

Cimbar Resources · Surface
Controlled by John H Waters
Sahuarita, Pima County, AZ  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0202368

Santa Rita Plan has $102K in proposed MSHA penalties and $908 outstanding across 1 contested dockets, plus health sampling and the full incident record.

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
28
Years on record
1990–2021
Latest incident
Nov 2021
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
220
citations
55
significant & substantial
$102,154
proposed penalties
$100,057
paid to date
98% of proposed penalties paid to date, a $2,097 gap.
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Inspection activity
MSHA inspections since 2000
74
inspections on record
1,432
inspection hours
15.4
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.
220 citations across 1,432 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.

Santa Rita Plan has $102K in proposed MSHA penalties and $908 outstanding across 1 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.
$102K
proposed penalties
$101K
current assessed
$100K
paid to date
$908
outstanding
219 assessments are final orders; 1 contested dockets.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-07-10.
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 7,409 0 0 0.0
2025 Q3 9,092 1 0 110.0
2025 Q2 3,927 0 0 0.0
2025 Q1 9,806 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 10,931 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 12,779 4 0 313.0
2024 Q2 12,266 0 0 0.0
2024 Q1 8,754 0 0 0.0
Show 96 earlier quarters
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2023 Q4 9,519 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 10,399 1 0 96.2
2023 Q2 11,317 0 0 0.0
2023 Q1 10,402 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 11,250 7 3 622.2
2022 Q3 10,679 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 9,227 1 0 108.4
2022 Q1 9,265 4 0 431.7
2021 Q4 9,193 0 0 0.0
2021 Q3 12,406 0 0 0.0
2021 Q2 5,058 3 0 593.1
2021 Q1 9,914 3 0 302.6
2020 Q4 10,825 0 0 0.0
2020 Q3 10,466 0 0 0.0
2020 Q2 9,731 1 0 102.8
2020 Q1 11,334 3 0 264.7
2019 Q4 8,286 0 0 0.0
2019 Q3 12,438 7 1 562.8
2019 Q2 10,453 0 0 0.0
2019 Q1 9,018 6 0 665.3
2018 Q4 11,332 0 0 0.0
2018 Q3 10,982 1 0 91.1
2018 Q2 10,431 0 0 0.0
2018 Q1 10,536 0 0 0.0
2017 Q4 11,901 3 1 252.1
2017 Q3 9,322 1 0 107.3
2017 Q2 5,378 0 0 0.0
2017 Q1 5,747 5 0 870.0
2016 Q4 9,243 0 0 0.0
2016 Q3 9,704 0 0 0.0
2016 Q2 9,873 4 1 405.1
2016 Q1 12,576 0 0 0.0
2015 Q4 9,997 1 1 100.0
2015 Q3 12,618 3 0 237.8
2015 Q2 12,073 0 0 0.0
2015 Q1 10,124 9 1 889.0
2014 Q4 10,702 0 0 0.0
2014 Q3 11,318 7 3 618.5
2014 Q2 11,883 0 0 0.0
2014 Q1 10,524 0 0 0.0
2013 Q4 9,806 27 6 2753.4
2013 Q3 8,681 0 0 0.0
2013 Q2 10,112 14 4 1384.5
2013 Q1 7,442 0 0 0.0
2012 Q4 7,703 8 3 1038.6
2012 Q3 8,842 0 0 0.0
2012 Q2 9,866 14 6 1419.0
2012 Q1 8,812 0 0 0.0
2011 Q4 7,768 8 5 1029.9
2011 Q3 9,410 0 0 0.0
2011 Q2 10,308 3 2 291.0
2011 Q1 8,888 0 0 0.0
2010 Q4 9,355 4 1 427.6
2010 Q3 11,166 0 0 0.0
2010 Q2 12,132 15 9 1236.4
2010 Q1 8,725 3 0 343.8
2009 Q4 6,930 0 0 0.0
2009 Q3 7,212 0 0 0.0
2009 Q2 8,116 1 0 123.2
2009 Q1 6,279 0 0 0.0
2008 Q4 5,636 0 0 0.0
2008 Q3 9,636 0 0 0.0
2008 Q2 9,780 1 0 102.2
2008 Q1 6,685 0 0 0.0
2007 Q4 7,198 3 0 416.8
2007 Q3 8,297 0 0 0.0
2007 Q2 7,718 0 0 0.0
2007 Q1 7,300 0 0 0.0
2006 Q4 6,967 0 0 0.0
2006 Q3 7,444 0 0 0.0
2006 Q2 7,564 0 0 0.0
2006 Q1 7,093 0 0 0.0
2005 Q4 6,585 0 0 0.0
2005 Q3 6,604 5 0 757.1
2005 Q2 7,371 0 0 0.0
2005 Q1 5,738 0 0 0.0
2004 Q4 6,937 3 0 432.5
2004 Q3 6,998 0 0 0.0
2004 Q2 6,706 0 0 0.0
2004 Q1 7,284 8 2 1098.3
2003 Q4 6,588 0 0 0.0
2003 Q3 7,018 0 0 0.0
2003 Q2 6,746 3 2 444.7
2003 Q1 7,166 2 0 279.1
2002 Q4 5,604 0 0 0.0
2002 Q3 7,069 4 0 565.9
2002 Q2 8,622 0 0 0.0
2002 Q1 9,085 0 0 0.0
2001 Q4 7,277 0 0 0.0
2001 Q3 8,739 0 0 0.0
2001 Q2 9,624 16 3 1662.5
2001 Q1 8,965 0 0 0.0
2000 Q4 8,004 0 0 0.0
2000 Q3 9,135 1 1 109.5
2000 Q2 11,092 0 0 0.0
2000 Q1 10,004 2 0 199.9
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

28 on file

2021 · 1 incident

November 29, 2021 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was digging out a screw and lacerated right hand receiving stitches.

2020 · 1 incident

October 17, 2020 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ball/rod/pebble/hand/limestone/dry mill operator, roller operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

Employee tripped on a metal bar causing them to fall into guard and fracture left hand.

2015 · 2 incidents

August 31, 2015 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Employee was using a 10 lb. hammer to help product flow on a bin when he felt pain in his right arm. Employee was diagnosed with a right bicep tendon strain/tear and placed on restricted duty.

May 20, 2015 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

The employee was inside a retractable cage on top of a bulk truck loading the truck. The truck moved forward without warning and pinned the employee's leg between the truck hatch and the retractable cage ladder.

2013 · 1 incident

December 18, 2013 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Struck against stationary object

While the mechanic was inside the Mill removing the Journal's he hit his head on an overhead pipe knocking off his hard hat.

2011 · 2 incidents

October 14, 2011 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working on mill when gear of unit fell (30 lbs), trying to catch falling object, resulting in hyperextension/rotation and extension of right shoulder.

March 23, 2011 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

There was no specific accident. We only learned of the situation when the employee called to say he was not coming to work on 03/24/11 because he was going to the doctor. He complained of sore and achey wrists. He had been moving/stacking pallets and running the forklift the shift prior. He was diagnosed with "Tenosynov Hand/Wrist Neck"

2010 · 1 incident

June 3, 2010 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was standing on a wind box attaching and applying pressure to a bolt to a lid on top of the mill. EE slipped and fell down apx 5-1/2 feet and hit is right hand on equipment guard, while falling cutting his hand and landing on his left side and back.

2008 · 1 incident

August 21, 2008 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal outside foreman, leadman MACHINERY
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Rock being crushed by Jaw entered drive pulley, fragmented rock, fragment hit employee on left hand.

2005 · 1 incident

June 9, 2005 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

RESTACKING 100 LB BAGS OF POOL MIX FROM ONE DEFECTIVE PALLET TO A GOOD PALLET. PICKED UP A BAG AND FELT A SHARP PAIN ON HIS LOWER BACK.

2004 · 1 incident

October 13, 2004 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator ALL OTHER OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE IS CLAIMING WORKERS COMP. DUE TO STRESS/NERVES SO BAD THAT SHE CAN NOT WORK & ANXIETY ATTACKS. UNKNOWN AS TO WHEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN OR WHEN HER FIRST DR.'S VISIT WAS. SHE REPORTED THIS AS A WORKERS COMP. ON 10/13/04 TO THE SAFETY MANAGER.

2003 · 1 incident

May 13, 2003 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SHRINK WRAPPING PRODUCT WHEN HE STEPPED WRONG & HIS ANKLE ROLLED TO THE SIDE. SPRAINED ANKLE.

2002 · 1 incident

February 26, 2002 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

REMOVING NUT OFF AIR VALVE TO SOUTH SILO SPOUT WRENCH SLIPPED AND STRUCK LEFT SIDE OF JAW, CAUSING FRACTURE TO TEETH.

2001 · 1 incident

November 21, 2001 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman MACHINERY
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

EE DID NOT LOCK MACHINE OUT BEFORE SLIDING UNDER9" H BY 32" W OPENING AT FLOOR LEVEL. MACHINE WAS RUNNING WITH ALL GUARDS IN PLACE. HE WAS LAYING ON HIS STOMACH WHEN ELEVATOR CAME DOWN AND PINNED HIS UPPER THIGHS.

1999 · 2 incidents

September 21, 1999 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING 100 LB PUMPS BAG TO PUT IN GARBAGE. HE FELT A TWINGE IN HIS BACK. THE NEXT MORINING WED 9-22 THE SAID HIS BACK WAS HURTING MORE AND CALLED OUR OFFICE TO ASK US WHO HE SOULD GO S EE-DR SAID OK TO RETURN MON 9-27-99.

August 6, 1999 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. · Struck by flying object

WHILE CHIPPING SLAG FFROM A WELD, WITH HIS WELDING HELMET FLIPPED UP-BUT SAFETY GLASSES WERE ON,A PIECE OF SLAG FLEW INTO EMPLOYEE'S RIGHT EYE. THIS CAUSED A SCRATCH ON HIS RIGHT CORNEA.

1997 · 1 incident

February 10, 1997 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Specialty Minerals Inc · Over-exertion in lifting objects

PORTABLE STEAM CLEANER WAS TOO HEAVY.

1996 · 3 incidents

March 22, 1996 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Specialty Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

OIL DRAIN LINE HAS A TIGHT FIT.

March 14, 1996 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Specialty Minerals Inc · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE WAS WORKING AT PRIMARY CRUSHER DISLODGING BOULDER. AFTER HE COMPLETED JOB, HE CARRIED CHAINS DOWN CRUSHER RAMP TO RETURN THEM TO THE MAINTENANCE SHOP, WHEN HIS LEFT FOOT SLIPPE DOUT FROM UN DER HIM CAUSING HIM TO FALL ON HIS SIDE.

January 1, 1996 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Specialty Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

INDIVIDUAL WAS PULLING 100 POUND BAGS ACROSS GRAVITY ROLLERS FEEDING A PALLETIZER. HIS LEFT HANDBECAME CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TOP GRAVITY ROLLER & THE POWERED RETURN BELT.

1994 · 2 incidents

July 15, 1994 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal mine manager, mine foreman, mine owner FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Specialty Minerals Inc · Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS STRUCK IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER BALDE BY A FIST SIZE ROCK WHICH FELL FROM A HIGHWALL.RTHE EMPLOYEE NOTIFIED MANAGEMENT AND THEN WENT BACK TO WORK.TWO WEEKS LATER HE WAS COMPLAINING O F A SORE SHOULDER AND WAS SENT TO A DOCTOR.HE THEN WENT TO HIS OWN DOCTOR WHO SAID HE SHOULD BE HOME RELAXING.THE INCIDENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.

May 25, 1994 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
Specialty Minerals Inc · Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A SEMI AUTOMATIC PALLETIZING SYSTEM. AS BAGS ENTER THE PALLETIZING TABLE THEY CROSS OVER FOUR UNPOWERED ROLLERS. THE EMPLOYEE SOMEHOW CAUGHT HIS GLOVE ON THE THIRD UNPOW ERED ROLLER. THE FORCE OF THE BAG CAUSED HIS THUMB AND WEB AREA TO GO BETWEEN THE 3RD AND 4TH ROLLERS. AS EMPLOYEE PULLED HIS HAND BACK IT BECAME LACERATED BETWEEN THE FOREFINGER AND THUMB.

1993 · 1 incident

April 29, 1993 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Specialty Minerals Inc · Fall to lower level, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING ON A JOHN DEER LOADER. HE TOOK A STEP BACKWARDS & HIS LEFT HEEL DROPPED INTO SMALL HJOLE. AT THAT TIME HE FELT HIS LEFT KNEE "POP" OR SNAP.

1992 · 4 incidents

November 10, 1992 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Specialty Minerals Inc · Caught in, under or between two or more moving objects

EMPLOYEE WAS ADJUSTING A 50# BAG FROM A PACING CONVEYOR TO MORE EASILY ALIGN IT INTO THE PALLETIZING SECTION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PACING CONVEYOR THERE AREA A NON-POWERED ROLLERS. EMPLOYEE G RABBED THE BAG IN THE AREA BETWEEN PACING CONVEYOR AND 1ST FREE ROLLER. THE GLOVE ON HIS LEFT HAND WAS PULLED IN BY THE PACING CONVEYOR CAUSING HIS HAND TO BE PULLED IN AND CAUGHT BETWEEN CON

August 3, 1992 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman POWERED HAULAGE
Specialty Minerals Inc · Struck by falling object

55061S WORKING NEAR A CONVEYOR BELT AT SPEED BELT STATION AND WAS UNLOADING 100 LB BAGS OF PRODUCTS. HE CAUGHT ONE BAG BUT MISSED A SECOND BAG WHICH EE CLAIMS FELL OFF THE BLET AND STRUCK HIS 99783 KNEE CAUSING PAIN.

April 29, 1992 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Specialty Minerals Inc · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPL CLAIMS TO HAVE INJURED BACK AT WORK.HOWEVER ACCOUNT OF INJURY VARIES TO THE POINT THAT THIS INJURY WILL BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY.

April 20, 1992 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Specialty Minerals Inc · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

USING PRY BAR WHEN PRESSUE SPRUNG CAME LOOSE IT STRUCK IN MOUTH

1990 · 1 incident

November 21, 1990 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal belt foreman, maintenance foreman, maintenance supervisor ELECTRICAL
Calcium Products Of Arizona · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

BATTERY IN PICK UP EXPLODED WHILE EE WAS HOOKING UP CHARGE TO DEAD BATTERY SPARKS CAUSED GASES TO EXPLODE.

For insurers, brokers, and safety consultants

The full compliance file on Santa Rita Plan

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.