Sapphire Coal CompanyMining Incidents in 2012

Examiner discovered fall in the #3 entry at break 201. The fall was approximately 20' wide and 30 ' long.

A flash flood occurred that dropped approximately 3"" of rain in a 45 minute period. A drain pipe stopped up allowing water to overflow the drainage ditch and allowing water to enter the belt portal of the mine. This did not affect ventilation or safe travel for personnel coming out of the mine.

A mine examiner found a roof fall during a weekly examination of the return air course 2 breaks inby SS 3003 in #8 entry. The fall was 60 feet long, 20 feet wide and 6 feet high. The fall did not ventilation or travel.

Employee had a cable tied to a mantrip pulling it during a section move. The cable became caught on a pallet of rock dust and caused the cable to become tight and striking him on the upper left arm and ribs. Employee worked until 4-5-12 when he saw the Dr. and was taken off work.

The employee was attempting to cross a belt that was not running and when he stepped on the belt, the belt accidentally started and he lost balance hitting his head on a piece of metal across the belt and then had to jump off the belt. The employee returned to work the next shift but later diagnosed with a break in a vertebrae and broken ribs. Employee continues to work.