Stillwater Mining CompanyMining Incidents in 2023

On 4-4-23 an employee called out the employee's supervisor that employee's loader was on fire & that the employee had used the 5lb. extinguisher & set off the suppression system, left & shut off stope ventilation, could not confirm fire was out, MSHA 1-800 number was called at 4:15 am informing them of the Incident.

The employee reports slipped and reached to catch self on the mucker bucket. In the process EE's fingers were caught between bucket and roll back cylinder of a 2 yard mucker pinching two fingers.

Employee cut left middle finger tip off while using an electric skill saw cutting a piece of plywood standing vertical when saw blade made contact with finger.

Employee was attempting to thread a bolt driver into the striker bar on Sandvik Bolter turret that was positioned horizontally and still powered up. In the process EE's right hand & forearm was pulled into the turret as the drill steel side of turret was still rotating resulting in an amputation of right index finger at the 2nd joint & a fractured right arm.

Employee reports ongoing back issues. Stated on 12/1 it has progressed to the point EE no longer can take the pain. Employee referred to levels of care and MRI revealed a herniated disk at Doctors appointment on 12/20/2023.

Initial report was employee was contacted by a small rock that fell through hog wire on left shoulder. Employee worked EE's way through levels of care and was finally diagnosed with a partial tear of EE's rotator cuff on 12/22/23.

Employee was mapping drill hole break throughs & in the process EE was stepping/walking backwards when stumbled resulting in EE falling backwards, EE put hands outwards to break the fall resulting in a sprain to right wrist. Seen site medic referred to ER x-rays were negative, but restrictions were issued for acute sprain.

Employee was loading haul trucks underground & upon dumping a scoop of muck EE proceeded to back around the pillar to get more muck when EE drove some oversize spillage resulting in the loader to bounce jarring EE's low back. Seen site medic, referred to ER, then onto Occupational Health specialist where restrictions were issued for muscle strain.

Employee bolting heading on CMAC Bolter & was collaring a hole in the back a piece of rock broke, as it was falling employee stepped off the bolter deck to avoid being struck. In doing so they felt pain in lower back, reported to site medic, referred to ER, x-rays were negative, referred to occupational health, restrictions were issued for low back strain.

Employee was attempting to seat a Victaulic clamp on a section of drisco pipe when they struck their gloved left index finger with the hammer being used by their own right hand. X-rays were negative for fracture, was referred to orthopedic specialist and received limited duty restrictions for bruising & swelling of the finger tissue

Employee was walking to open a rail gate when EE tripped and in the process of regaining balance EE felt pain in left knee. Continued to work until pain levels increased. Seen Site medic, referred to ER, x-rays were negative, referred to orthopedic where restrictions were issued making this incident reportable

Employee states: was removing cable hanging on the rib approximately 6' above the sill. With hands over head, lifting the cable EE's foot slipped causing a ""pop"" in right shoulder. The employee required an MRI and a follow up appointment with an ortho dr. on 10/3/23 and was diagnosed with torn shoulder ligaments. EE was taken off work to rehab the shoulder.

Employee strained neck while on a mechanical bolter when a slab fell from the face in heading EE was bolting. The slab struck bolters boom causing the bolter to bounce resulting in the strain. Was seen at ER on 8/29/23 and issued full release. Was seen again on 9/6/23 for continued neck pain at which time restrictions were issued making this reportable.

Employee was exiting a covered mantrip on the surface when EE lost EE's footing & fell resulting in a dislocation & laceration to right middle finger. Seen site medic, referred to ER, X-rays negative. Sutures were required and was referred to a orthopedic surgeon for dislocation, no restrictions were issued with surgeon making this a medical reportable incident.

A miner was bolting with a jackleg when a piece of loose fell from the spring line. The loose rolled down EE's drill steel, bounced off the welded wire and struck EE on the left shoulder. The impact knocked EE down and the piece of loose landed on EE's right leg. EE suffered a broken left collarbone and a broken right leg.

Employee was scaling down a work area when one of the rocks EE brought down contacted EE's left hand resulting in injury. Seen by site medic referred to ER, x-rays were positive for a fracture to the left middle finger.

Employee was handling an airline (hose) for a jack leg and was attempting to clear air out of the line. While handling the hose, EE felt pain in EE's bicep.

While riding out of the mine on 5/21/23 employee stated was jarred in the seat resulting in back pain. EE did not report this to management. On 5/24/23 while on days off EE reported to the supervisor that EE was seeing a doctor for continued back pain resulting from the incident on 5/21/23. Restrictions were issued limiting EE from performing all required job duties.

Employee was riding in a light vehicle coming out of the mine when a foreign body entered left eye. Employee washed it and saw site medic, was referred to an eye specialist, they were diagnosed with a rust ring starting and had it removed and was given restrictions for 3 days.

Employee was getting off the company provided bus in the parking lot, upon stepping down on the asphalt employee's left ankle rolled, resulting in a sprain prior to starting shift. Seen site medics, referred to ER, x-rays were negative but restrictions were issued for the swelling.

Utilizing a forklift around rail flat, one fork was inadvertently under a 1"" lip of the flat. The uninjured employee applied lift to the forklift at the same time the injured employee reached across the forks. The fork under the lip slipped off springing upwards, contacting the employee in the chin causing a laceration and a broken mandible.

An employee had arrived at the mine site parking lot and upon exiting EE's vehicle EE slipped and fell, resulting in injury to EE's left ankle. Seen site medic referred to ER, x-rays were positive for a fracture, restrictions issued.

Employee conducting a workplace exam & while scaling the back a drop of water contacted employee's forehead above the safety glasses & entered right eye. The water contained concrete residue resulting in burning of the eye. Seen site medic, referred to ER, work release issued. Still having pain the next morning, sent to eye doctor & was restricted at that time.

Employee at a raise bore drill site went to pick up a cordless tool battery when EE tripped resulting in EE putting EE's hands out to catch self resulting in an injury to EE's right thumb. Seen site medic, referred to ER, x-rays were positive for a fracture resulting in restrictions.

employee was drilling the 1st hole in the bolting cycle, when EE turned away from the controls a rock fell from the back contacting EE's right shoulder. Seen site medic, referred to ER, x-rays were positive for fracture resulting in restrictions

During the bolting cycle a rock contacted the miner in the left knee causing ruptured ligaments. The miner was seen at the site medic and referred to an orthopedic provider. Due to the swelling the MRI was not completed and read until 3/15/23. On that date the diagnosis of the ruptured ligaments was determined, and surgery scheduled.

Employee was emptying a mop bucket in sink and strained EE's back. Was seen at medics and referred to ED where EE was again referred to Occ Health. Occ Health apt on 2/28/203 restrictions were issued and taken off work.

Employee using an airbag to lift the front of a de-railed ore car when the airbag underload popped out from placement area contacting employee knocking EE backwards into a concrete barrier. Seen site medic, referred to the ER, x rays negative, referred to a occupational health provider. EE was issued restrictions for mid back muscle bruising/strain.

On 2/4/23 an employee turned on a fan after shutting it off to use the underground phone. Upon starting fan backup some dust came out of the fan where EE felt a foreign body enter right eye. EE flushed eye & didn't report incident to supervisor that shift. 2/5/23, EE's eye was irritated so EE went to physician & had metal flake removed & was given restrictions.

Employee was cutting the bands on a pallet of wielded wire panels in laydown had only the center band to cut & when EE did it sprung upwards contacting right wrist between the Kevlar arm guard & EE's glove resulting in laceration to the wrist, seen by medic referred to ER, diagnosed with cut to radial artery which required surgery

As the drill crew was changing mast position to set up on correct azimuth for a downhole, a bolt on the crowd cylinder broke and a section of the bolt impacted the Driller in the left eye.

Employee was attempting to lift a wire spool onto the jack stand without help. When EE lifted the spool, EE saw their right bicep move up the arm. EE felt discomfort but no pain. EE stopped and reported to on-site supervisor. EE was transported to the hospital and seen by a doctor and diagnosed with a ruptured bicep.

Employee riding in mantrip vehicle when it hit a bump causing the employee to be jarred, resulting in lower back pain on left side of back. Seen by doctor and given a full work release. On 5/25/23 employee was seen again due to persistent pain at which time, restrictions were issued limiting the ability to perform all required job duties.

Laborer was walking on screen at MSE wall and caught EE's left boot on the metal screen and tripped and fell. The employee hit EE's left knee on the ground causing a laceration.

On 6/26/23 employee was attempting to lift a stand up computer desk when they felt a pop in left shoulder. It was reported to the operator on 6/27/23 at the beginning of the shift, was evaluated by site medic and referred to ER. X-rays were negative, lifting restrictions were issued making this a medical reportable incident.

Employee was prepping the engine compartment head of LHD for removal. While removing the last bolt, the hood accidentally fell striking the employee on the finger causing injury.

During installation of an I-beam in an existing structure the beam became stuck, in efforts to free the beam employee had their right hand at end of beam. When it dislodged it moved forward, resulting in the employee's right pinky finger being smashed.

After loading a shotcrete pot into a light vehicle, employee closed the tailgate & in the process pinched right ring finger between the tailgate & shotcrete pot resulting in a laceration which required 3 sutures. EE was given a full work release making this a medical reportable injury.

While manually removing a 6"" Reamer and Hex Rod due to completion of the drill hole, the injured employee's left pointer finger was smashed between the Hex Rod and a guard in place over the jack controls of the drill.

Employee was undoing a bungie strap holding materials in place when it slipped out of their hand contacting EE in the mouth resulting in a upper front tooth being chipped. Seen dentist and was given full release on 9/11/23, however had tooth repaired on 9/25/23 making this a medical reportable as no days were lost.

Employee was tasked to create a gap on the metal pipe flanges to replace the gasket. Upon doing so, EE began to utilize a hammer to hit one wedge. The other one dislodged out of place and struck the employee in the lower lip and mouth causing a laceration. Employee was seen at hospital and received sutures.

Employee was bolting with a CMAC bolter. As EE was inserting a bolt driver steel into the chuck of the machine, EE had placed the right gloved hand below the steel taper that holds it in the machine resulting in a pinching laceration to EE's palm area below the pinky finger. Two sutures were required and a full work release was issued.

The core innertube hung up in the top of the drill rods on a +25 up-hole. The Helper placed a hand on the innertube to shake it and when it came free, their right hand fingers were crushed between the top of the innertube latch head and the sheave wheel bracket on the rig frame.

Miner was mucking the face after blast and hit a toe in the sill which caused the mucker to stop abruptly, miner hit their head in the cab.

An employee was working from the platform of a scissor deck installing pipe hanger brackets. As they were adjusting the length of the metal bracket by spinning it off an expansion shell when it fell out of the hole. The employee attempted to push themselves away from the falling bracket. The bracket struck the top of their hand, piercing their glove.

Miner hanging 6"" HDP airline pipe in the 85-655 development ramp. Caught left ring finger between pipe and cab rail of Young scissor deck USD04 causing laceration requiring sutures and fingertip fracture.

Employee attempting to get drill unstuck, they placed a bundle of Mickey bolts under the outrigger jack, partner deployed the jack, as pressure from jack was applied bundles metal bands failed resulting in a bolt to contact the employees left gloved hand resulting in lacerations to #2 & 3 fingers sutures were required, full work release given making this medical reportable

Employee drilling a Backstope panel with longhole drill on 1-7-23 when water & grit impacted EE's face resulting in foreign body to left eye. Employee washed it out & did not report it. On 1-9-23 at end of shift EE reported to supervisor due to irritation, seen site medic, referred ophthalmologist to remove foreign body was issued a full work release making this medical reportable.

Employee reports ongoing back pain from a pinched nerve. Employee reports this condition has steadily worsened through the years and has sought care to correct nerve condition.

During a review of audiograms by our audiologist on November 9, 2023, it was determined that the employee sustained a reportable threshold shift in the right ear. The employee is being retrained in accordance with section 62.180 of the 30 CFR.

During a review of audiograms by our audiologist on November 9, 2023, it was determined that the employee sustained a reportable threshold shift in the right ear. The employee is being retrained in accordance with section 62.180 of the 30 CFR.

During a review of audiograms by our audiologist on November 9, 2023, it was determined that the employee sustained a reportable threshold shift in the left ear. The employee is being retrained in accordance with section 62.180 of the 30 CFR.

Employee went out on work comp to have back surgery. The repeated lifting of core boxes for 15+ years has caused degeneration in their back requiring surgery to correct.

The employee was tasked with performing maint on a compressor. Upon completion of routine maint, the employee replaced the door. The employee reported they felt pain in bicep. The task has been repeatedly completed by the employee weekly throughout EE's career. EE was evaluated by the medic and transported to the hospital. Surgery was conducted to repair the tendon

During a review of audiograms by our audiologist, it was determined that our employee sustained a reportable threshold shift in the left ear on May 17, 2023. Employee is being retrained in accordance with section 62.180 of the standard.

During a review of audiograms by our audiologist, it was determined that our employee sustained a reportable threshold shift in the Left ear on May 12, 2023. Employee is being retrained in accordance with section 62.180 of the standard.

An over the road truck driver suffered a fatal personal medical incident while on property. Emergency medical care was rendered but resuscitation was not successful. MSHA was notified via 1-800 number and the incident was investigated. The driver had been to the mine site on a very limited basis in the past 3 years.