Rio Tinto Kennecott CopperMining Incidents in 2026

Operator was cleaning the operator cab windows from the drill deck, upon re-entering the cab the operator slipped on mud on the deck surface and fell at level impacting their right knee on the floor of the cab causing discomfort.

Employee dropped phone behind their desk. While moving the desk to retrieve the phone they heard a pop and felt excruciating pain in the right shoulder.

The operator was climbing the stairs to the haul truck and tripped over the second to last step from the top. The operator reached their hands out to catch themselves on the deck and upon impact hurt their shoulder.

Employee was working down by ball mill 6 and 7 in the cyclone feed pump build up area. Employee was using the bolt for a hammer and smashed a finger.

At 19:20 the IP's heavy equipment caught fire. After EE's fire suppressant device failed EE opened the door to EE's vehicle, letting in the smoke before closing the door. After realizing EE should not stay in the vehicle any longer the IP evacuated the vehicle and went into EE's supervisors car awaiting medical aid.

IP was changing a light on a haul truck and lost control of wrench, which flew back and lacerated their lip. Supervisor called over the emergency line at 12:38pm and arrived at Lark Gate to see EMT at 13:00. EMT cleaned the laceration and sent them to a clinic to get the laceration stitched up.

Bad Air through bore hole caused oxygen deficient atmosphere and small amounts of H2S gas. Crew driving underground jeep lost power, employee then exited the jeep to check the master switch, the employee immediately could not breath, and yelled to the other two, they then grabbed their rescuers and retreated up the NOSS to fresh air.