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.
246 citations across 1,272 inspection hours.
Source: MSHA inspections data, updated weekly.
Imminent-danger orders
ⓘA Section 107(a) order removes miners from an area when an inspector finds an imminent danger. Each order is lifted once the condition is corrected, so this counts orders issued, not orders now in effect.
7
Section 107(a) orders
Most recent order: 2019-09-16.
On record since 2018.
Source: MSHA imminent-danger order records, updated weekly.
Talons Cove has $435K in proposed MSHA penalties and $31 outstanding across 12 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.
$435K
proposed penalties
$364K
current assessed
$364K
paid to date
$31
outstanding
237 assessments are final orders; 12 contested dockets.
Of $252K in penalties contested before the Commission, $181K was upheld in final decisions.
As of the most recent assessment on 2025-11-18.
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.
52citations taken to the federal commission · 21% of citations on record
Settled
50 · 96%
Stood as issued
1 · 2%
Vacated or withdrawn
1 · 2%
83%
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 Vacated and withdrawn citations, and settlements that removed the designation, count against.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 23 decided S&S contests · industry: 79%
28%
Penalty reduction in decided contests
$252K proposed, $181K 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 A dismissed or defaulted contest leaves the citation standing as issued; a vacated or withdrawn citation is removed from the violation record.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 2025-09-08.
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: 2025-11-19
35%
of limit-tested samples over the exposure limit
32
samples
23
limit-tested
Most sampled contaminants
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz258 over
Respirable dust, <.1mg7
Show the individual readings (32)
Date
Contaminant
Concentration
Limit
Conc / limit
Occupation
2019-09-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.95
0.47
2.02
Crusher Oper/Worker
2017-08-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.62
0.39
1.59
Front-end Loader Operator
2014-11-19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.4
0.72
1.94
Crusher Oper/Worker
2014-11-19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.22
0.57
2.14
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-12-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.93
0.44
2.11
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-12-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.32
0.53
2.49
Supervisor, Co. Official
2011-12-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.28
0.47
2.72
Crusher Oper/Worker
2011-01-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
1.27
0.49
2.59
Supervisor, Co. Official
2025-11-19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.42
0.49
0.86
Crusher Oper/Worker
2025-11-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2025-11-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Laborer, Bullgang
2025-11-19
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.14
0.56
0.25
Front-end Loader Operator
2022-09-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.15
Laborer, Bullgang
2022-09-16
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2022-09-16
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.4
0.43
0.93
Crusher Oper/Worker
2019-10-10
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.21
0.48
0.44
Crusher Oper/Worker
2019-09-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.13
Front-end Loader Operator
2019-09-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.3
0.62
0.48
Front-end Loader Operator
2019-09-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.25
0.78
0.32
Crusher Oper/Worker
2019-09-24
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.43
0.44
0.98
Cleanup Man
2017-09-19
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2017-08-23
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.42
0.44
0.95
Crusher Oper/Worker
2015-02-04
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.19
0.47
0.40
Crusher Oper/Worker
2015-02-04
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-02-01
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.26
0.93
0.28
Supervisor, Co. Official
2012-02-01
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2012-02-01
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.13
0.62
0.21
Crusher Oper/Worker
2011-12-21
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.51
0.52
0.98
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-03-08
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.65
0.81
0.80
Supervisor, Co. Official
2011-01-27
Respirable dust, <.1mg
0
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-01-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.43
0.56
0.77
Front-end Loader Operator
2011-01-27
Quartz, respirable, >1% Qtz
0.26
0.68
0.38
Crusher Oper/Worker
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.
Talons Cove recorded 4.57 reportable injury cases per 100 full-time workers in 2025.
Injury rate, 2025
ⓘ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.
4.57
total case rate
4.57
days-away rate
0.000
fatality rate
Above average. The US metal and nonmetal mining average was 1.65 and the all-US-mining average was 1.97 cases per 100 workers.
In Utah, metal and nonmetal mining averaged 1.92 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
2025 *
4.57
4.57
0.000
2024 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2023 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2022 *
7.49
3.75
0.000
2021 *
2.99
2.99
0.000
2020 *
3.44
3.44
0.000
2019 *
0.00
0.00
0.000
2018 *
2.62
2.62
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
24
2025
22
2024
18
2023
22
2022
20
2021
26
2020
23
2019
27
2018
29
2017
23
2016
19
2015
17
2014
14
2013
14
2012
10
2011
10
2010
9
Source: MSHA quarterly employment and production, updated weekly.
Talons Cove sits in Utah County, Utah, 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.
Utah County, Utah · Population 683,622
0.2%
Mining share of county employment
$96,877
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
13,886
0
0
0.0
2026 Q1
11,320
0
0
0.0
2025 Q4
11,998
3
0
250.0
2025 Q3
10,146
6
1
591.4
2025 Q2
11,579
4
2
345.5
2025 Q1
10,042
0
0
0.0
2024 Q4
10,092
2
0
198.2
2024 Q3
10,932
0
0
0.0
Show 57 earlier quartersHide earlier quarters
Quarter
Hours worked
Citations
S&S
Per 1M hrs
2024 Q2
10,645
6
1
563.6
2024 Q1
8,555
0
0
0.0
2023 Q4
10,651
14
5
1314.4
2023 Q3
11,991
5
1
417.0
2023 Q2
13,323
0
0
0.0
2023 Q1
10,609
7
1
659.8
2022 Q4
12,635
0
0
0.0
2022 Q3
11,312
7
2
618.8
2022 Q2
13,498
0
0
0.0
2022 Q1
15,946
4
0
250.8
2021 Q4
16,498
0
0
0.0
2021 Q3
17,147
4
2
233.3
2021 Q2
17,100
0
0
0.0
2021 Q1
16,190
0
0
0.0
2020 Q4
14,668
2
0
136.4
2020 Q3
14,994
3
1
200.1
2020 Q2
14,401
0
0
0.0
2020 Q1
14,100
0
0
0.0
2019 Q4
14,767
20
14
1354.4
2019 Q3
17,219
10
3
580.8
2019 Q2
18,909
0
0
0.0
2019 Q1
18,891
15
3
794.0
2018 Q4
19,524
10
5
512.2
2018 Q3
19,570
18
4
919.8
2018 Q2
19,711
3
1
152.2
2018 Q1
17,439
10
3
573.4
2017 Q4
15,005
0
0
0.0
2017 Q3
15,391
4
4
259.9
2017 Q2
13,991
0
0
0.0
2017 Q1
12,279
4
0
325.8
2016 Q4
13,941
0
0
0.0
2016 Q3
4,596
2
0
435.2
2016 Q2
12,831
2
2
155.9
2016 Q1
9,651
1
0
103.6
2015 Q4
11,150
0
0
0.0
2015 Q3
11,775
3
0
254.8
2015 Q2
9,511
0
0
0.0
2015 Q1
6,175
2
2
323.9
2014 Q4
8,225
0
0
0.0
2014 Q3
7,329
12
4
1637.3
2014 Q2
6,801
0
0
0.0
2014 Q1
6,878
0
0
0.0
2013 Q4
7,331
2
1
272.8
2013 Q3
7,184
2
0
278.4
2013 Q2
8,725
12
6
1375.4
2013 Q1
7,704
6
2
778.8
2012 Q4
5,549
0
0
0.0
2012 Q3
6,329
0
0
0.0
2012 Q2
5,897
0
0
0.0
2012 Q1
4,799
4
3
833.5
2011 Q4
6,279
13
8
2070.4
2011 Q3
7,676
0
0
0.0
2011 Q2
6,825
0
0
0.0
2011 Q1
2,268
4
1
1763.7
2010 Q4
3,479
0
0
0.0
2010 Q3
3,671
7
5
1906.8
2010 Q2
3,109
0
0
0.0
No fatalities recorded at this mine.
Reportable incidents
10 on file
2025 · 1 incident
June 2, 2025UT · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Employee was carrying a roller can walking down a slight incline when they slipped causing them to break their left ankle. There was loose material on incline, and work boot did not have sufficient ankle support.
2022 · 2 incidents
September 26, 2022UT · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Miner was getting up into loader and missed the first step with foot, straining left shoulder. Initial treatment was first aid and doctor visit to provide diagnosis. Remained at a shoulder strain without medical treatment until we were notified of a cortisone injection on 12/09/2022. At which time, we feel it became a reportable injury.
EE (the miner) was cutting a conveyor belt when EE slipped with the knife and cut leg. EE was cutting towards the body. The cut required stitches and caused no permanent or long term impairment. Returned to work the next day.
The miner was walking from vehicle towards the plant, minutes after the weather had cleared. It had been snowing previously for several hours and there were 2 inches of new snow accumulation on the ground. The miner slipped on the ice and snow from the recent snow storm and injured ankle. Miner was taken to doctor to get ankle examined.
2020 · 1 incident
July 15, 2020UT · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDLING OF MATERIALS
Miner was assisting to remove a large rock from a clogged jaw crusher. The miners were locked out, tagged and tied off. The rock was suspended during removal and EE placed foot on the lip of the jaw, contrary to training to stay clear of the jaw. EE's foot was in an unprotected position when the load moved and the rock collided with EE's left foot.
2018 · 1 incident
October 9, 2018UT · Metal/Non-Metallaborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitmanHANDLING OF MATERIALS
TM Crushing, LLC · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object
Miner bypassed the guard to access V belt on the head pulley Motor belt. After checking the tension of the V belt with fingers, the operator in the tower started the belt without sounding the alarm. This resulted in the Miner getting fingers entangled in the belt and pulley. The miner lost the tips of three fingers.
2014 · 1 incident
November 13, 2014UT · Metal/Non-Metalmaintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service techSLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
While working on the dozer the mechanic stepped down onto the track and slipped. He fell down about 5' and hit his head. He received stitches. Employee stated that he was using 3 point contact climbing but that his hands were greasy and could not hold his grip when he lost his footing.
2013 · 2 incidents
November 21, 2013UT · Metal/Non-Metalbulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineerHANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)