Mining Incidents

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Every injury and fatality MSHA has on file. Filter by state, year, sector, classification, experience, or any keyword from the investigator's narrative.

Total incidents
273,095
Of which fatal
1,202
Years on record
2000–2026
Classifications
20
Filters 2 active
Time period
Experience at time of incident

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The record

129 matching records

Showing 50 of 129
January 9, 2026 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An employee reported pain in knee after bending down to collect samples in tailings.

October 23, 2025 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Rubbed or abraded

Contract employee was wearing rubber boots to work in a wet/muddy area for clean-up. They had some of the wet material go over the top of boots causing it to irritate the middle of the calves on both legs where the boots touched the skin. This rubbed the skin causing a burn in a circumference pattern around both legs.

July 10, 2025 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Struck by falling object

Operator was running the A-crane at Central Tankhouse. While hooking up the mist ball basket, a small piece of debris fell from the inside of their full-face Respirator into their eye causing irritation. They went to the clinic for treatment where a small scratch was found and prescription eyedrops were administered.

April 29, 2025 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was ascending steps and felt a pop in knee - experienced dislocation requiring alignment

April 16, 2025 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt pain in back after getting off forklift - determined to be occupational illness

December 30, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was disassembling scaffolding, felt sting in left eyebrow

November 15, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee stepped off concrete base & popped knee

October 9, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt soreness in arm from shoveling

October 4, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While working to gather materials for the job, the employee bent over to pick up an item weighing only a few ounces. While standing back up, the employee felt a sharp pain in employee's back. The pain persisted after the incident had occurred and the employee decided to seek medical attention.

February 21, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee was working on a chute, a gust of wind came through the area blowing dust under the employees Safety Glasses. The employee felt discomfort, left the area and reported the incident to Supervision.

February 19, 2024 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee has working on HT567. After bay was prepped, EE was walking in the bay to get a tool for another employee. While walking EE felt a pop in left foot. Employee was Diagnosed with plantar strain/plantar fasciitis

October 18, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt a sharp pain in their knee when stepped on an elevated platform

October 2, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee reported a foreign object got in their eye from a gust of wind.

October 1, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee states hole deck cover on the drill was blown off by the wind striking employee's foot

September 27, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee felt pop in knee while coming down stairs

August 16, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ball/rod/pebble/hand/limestone/dry mill operator, roller operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states they were conducting pre-operation inspection of conveyor belts when they twisted their knee.

August 13, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee stated their foot started hurting while walking.

August 7, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Summer Intern was walking across parking lot when they were stung by a Wasp.

July 21, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal machinist OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reported the next day that their knee popped while boarding transport bus the previous shift.

May 15, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was working in a low clearance area bent over and when employee turned to right knee seemed to collapse and employee went down on the shop floor. Employee stated that the right knee was not working, and employee could not get up.

May 4, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was leaving fuel dock attendant shack when gust of wind caught the door resulting in employee twisting their knee.

April 10, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal barge/boat/dredge/towbarge/towboat/leach operator, riverman, deck hand OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking through the parking lot en-route to work when their knee popped.

March 13, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Haul truck operator states they hurt their back while reaching for oil dipstick.

February 27, 2023 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states their knee popped while walking on flat level surface in the tank house.

December 27, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states they felt a pop in their back while descending stairs.

December 23, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states they were descending the haul truck stairs when their ankle popped.

December 21, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal mechanic helper OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee states a spider bit their finger while putting on gloves.

December 16, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was following an overhead crane load when they stepped wrong and twisted their knee.

December 2, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Unclassified, insufficient data

Employee was found unresponsive and lying on the cab floor of the electric shovel EE was assigned to operate.

November 24, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was cleaning up spillage while on their knees. When the employee stood up, they felt their knee pop.

November 9, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE stepped into van at the start of shift, felt pain in right lower back & the back knee. Pain stopped. Worked the shift. Pain started at end of shift. Reported the incident at 3:30am 11/10/2022. EE was met at Clinic and given restrictions, worked for rest of day. 3 schld days off.11/14/2022 at follow up Occ-med no improvement, went lost time. Back to work restricted duty 11/21/22.

November 8, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Prior to the beginning of EE's work shift, EE experienced what was reported to contractor as a pulmonary embolism in the mine parking lot which resulted in EE's death. It is contractor's understanding that the incident is classified as Degree 8-Natural Causes.

October 3, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states their knee started hurting after walking through out the shift.

September 26, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states they felt tightness in their back when they laughed at a co-worker while riding it light vehicle.

September 20, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal leaching operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking across a mine stockpile when they stated their knee popped.

August 11, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was at the pump house opening up the double doors when something stung their arm.

August 3, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was doing warehouse yard clean up when they stated they were stung by an insect on their finger which the employee was wearing gloves.

June 16, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking on flat level surface when their knee popped out of place causing them to fall to the ground.

June 15, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee reached for the haul truck boarding ladder switch when they felt pain in their shoulder.

May 3, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal ball/rod/pebble/hand/limestone/dry mill operator, roller operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee was sitting in the morning line up meeting when they were stung by a scorpion which was in their boot.

April 15, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An employee was walking on the north side of the shop, stepped off a 3" step and felt a pop in their knee. The employee was not carrying anything at the time.

March 22, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal leaching operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Drip crew were pulling Mantos and felt the wind kick up. They knew they had to move out of the way because it would start flying up. Injured employee was walking out of the way when the Mantos pulled the 4" pipe, the pipe then swept their feet from under them causing them to fall onto their back.

February 26, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal blaster, shooter, shotfirer, explosive worker, powder gang/monkey OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An employee was walking down the blast pattern when their knee went out and twisted.

February 11, 2022 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal hydrate plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

An operator was walking out of the control room to check the B-Train, felt their knee buckled. The employee was taken to the clinic and given restrictions on their second follow-up on 2/12/2022.

October 12, 2021 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Employee states they were operating haul truck when their eye began to tear up. Employee folded a paper towel and touched it to their eyelid and saw a small bug on paper towel after patting the eye. The eyelid began to swell and they went to the clinic (10-25-21). Employee reported this to the supervisor today and asked to be seen at clinic. Employee felt it was work related.

September 24, 2021 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking around truck for inspection when they were overcome with a personal medical issue.

August 2, 2021 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee felt discomfort in their left eye after line-up.

November 2, 2020 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While working on the Centerline, a Tailings Operations Trainee knelt down on the platform to spray out a cyclone and felt a sharp pain in their right knee.

July 24, 2020 AZ · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver OTHER
Freeport-McMoRan Morenci Inc. · Unclassified, insufficient data

Driver of the 575 HT initiated a mayday call while parked at the 11 shovel tie down. Employee's hard hat had fallen off, and they hit their head causing a small bump on the forehead.

Showing 50 of 129