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
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The record

288 total records

Showing 50 of 288
May 8, 2025 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee received a cut to the left hand while using an electric angle grinder which required stitches.

January 15, 2025 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping down from the last step of the haul truck EE had in the truck shop for repair. They took the last step to the clean dry and level cement floor and felt pain in EE's right knee. Employee stated the knee had been surgically repaired from a prior incident that happened outside of work. Employee was taken in for evaluation.

October 5, 2024 MN · Metal/Non-Metal haul/off road/coal/ore/pit/quarry/rock/rubber tire truck driver, transportation truck driver POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall from machine

Employee was operating a 240 ton haul truck on the roadway. They noticed smoke from under the deck. They pulled to the side and stopped the truck. Flames engulfed the exits, so they exited over the side rail and dropped to the ground.

June 2, 2024 MN · Metal/Non-Metal steel worker, iron metal worker, iron worker MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee leaned over rail to cut rail, using Metal Grinder. Grinder kicked back, slipped under face shield, and cut neck of employee. Employee received stitches to neck at ER. Able to go back to work next day.

April 24, 2024 MN · Metal/Non-Metal plumber, pipefitter, millwright MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A millwright was in the Multi-Clone Room using a corded grinder with a cut-off wheel to cut four sides off of a metal flange of double dump valve. The grinder kicked back causing the housing of the grinder to push into the face-shield, causing the face-shield to contact the employee's safety glasses resulting in a laceration to the bridge of their nose requiring 3 sutures.

March 14, 2024 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Technician was moving a plate/cover on a Terex crane RT780 and while performing this task EE felt pain in their back area. The part lifted weighed approximately 20 to 25 pounds. There is no way to lift it with the truck crane.

March 11, 2024 MN · Metal/Non-Metal plumber, pipefitter, millwright MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a hand drill to drill a hole in a steel pipe to insert a pin for guarding. The drill bit traveled and contacted the side of their right index finger causing a laceration requiring 4 stitches to close.

December 21, 2023 MN · Metal/Non-Metal plumber, pipefitter, millwright HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was closing the access door on the 4 drill when their glove caught the latch pin pulling their left hand into the gap between the door and frame, causing a cut on their hand.

September 20, 2023 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee states that they were holding a 3lb hammer in right hand while holding a pin hammer with left hand. Pin hammer point was touching a brake pin. While making first strike with 3lb hammer the hammer missed the pin hammer head striking employee's left hand.

August 29, 2023 MN · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall from ladders

Employee finished clearing stuck material in the pellet reclaim hopper. When descending the fixed caged ladder, employee fell approximately 12 feet to ground level. Investigation revealed a metal electrical conduit line positioned near a rung on the ladder which may have interfered with proper footing. Employee was diagnosed with a left arm/wrist fracture.

June 22, 2023 MN · Metal/Non-Metal plumber, pipefitter, millwright HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was attempting to adjust a pan chain of the stamler pan feeder. Two 1" nylon straps were attached to the pan and a come-along. Employee was ratcheting on come-along when the pan shifted causing the weight of the pan to rest on one of the nylon straps. This caused the nylon strap to break. The come-along struck employee in right rib area.

February 20, 2023 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

Service truck driver assigned to work as labor for shift. Moving heavy objects during shift. Employee stated feeling pain when pushing on a cable reel to center it onto the arms of the truck spool holder. Returned to work, week later was seen by physician and referred to physical therapy. No restrictions and a series of physical therapy has began.

December 5, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was on ground using remote control to move Drill to next hole. Employee stated they stepped on uneven ground, causing their left ankle to twist. Snowing at time of incident.

September 19, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Employee had finished checking oil on a D11 dozer, was closing the door when left thumb was cut by a metal burr protruding from the door latch bolt. Employee was seen on-site and further evaluated at hospital. Five stitches were used to close the wound.

September 6, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by rolling or sliding object

Employee was removing a steel belt core from under the belt winder to install on the winder. The belt core rolled and the employee got their little finger smashed and broken.

August 24, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal water circuit operator, slurry operator, mix operator, pump operator worker MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee was filling the ball bucket by the north ball bin discharge chute in the concentrator. Employee looked over the top of the bucket to inspect the level, when a metal flake was dislodged from balls striking together, landing in their left eye. Employee was seen by a specialist to remove imbedded foreign material from left eye. Employee was returned to work.

June 30, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was descending the stairway from the splitter bin in the pellet plant. An eye had been added to the top of the railing to attach a chain. Employees right ring finger caught in the eye and bent the finger causing immediate pain.

March 22, 2022 MN · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a loader when the tooth on bucket hung up on a solid rock formation causing the loader to stop, causing the loader to lurch, which caused employee to have pain in neck.

November 15, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking from the parking lot to the main gate and slipped on some ice landing on right arm/side causing elbow, shoulder, and muscle soreness.

September 30, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was taking apart a two piece rim that was 10" in diameter; The employee used a 6" hand held grinder to cut a bolt off, as the bolt was cut free the compressed air in the tire tube dislodged the rim striking the employee in the face, chest, and hands. The grinder also cut the employee in the wrist area.

May 6, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal miner, prospector, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was placing a 24 lb porta-power ram into place in the cooler on the shovel. While bending over, employee felt a burning sensation in abdomen.

April 14, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was hosing on the feed end of the operating floor and noticed a kink in the hose. Employee pulled the hose and as the kink let loose, employee lost balance and fell to the ground.

March 23, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting vacuum truck operator. Left elbow became aggravated.

February 1, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was lifting a box (approximately 50lbs) to store it on a shelf approximately three feet from the ground. As the employee was lifting the box it came in contact with the shelf disrupting the movement. The employee immediately felt shooting pain in left shoulder. It was later determined that the employee had torn rotator cuff and had surgery November 2nd, 2021.

January 27, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STRIKING OR BUMPING
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Employee was crouching when coming out of the mill, stood up and struck a pad eye causing a contusion to left shoulder.

January 26, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a knife to cut the tie wrap from around the block heater cord on personal vehicle, when the knife lacerated thumb requiring 2 stitches.

January 7, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee finished checking the contents of the box, picked it up off the table and was putting it into a cart. Employee twisted to set it down and felt a pain in the left shoulder blade.

January 5, 2021 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was charging rod mill when finger was pinched between 2 rods causing broken finger tip and laceration requiring stitches.

December 30, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was reaching into the back of the truck to remove wheel chocks when EE felt a pop in EE's back. This resulted in a strain of the lumbar region.

December 23, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was plowing with Skidsteer and when the end of the apron was reached, the blade broke through the ice abruptly stopping the machine. This jarred the employee causing pain in neck and shoulder blade.

December 9, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal FIRE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Millwright was cutting bolt and washer off exterior of feeder when it fell down into the crusher and landed on the screen deck. Hot bolt caught rubber screen on fire. Minor damage to screen and dust pipe.

December 8, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee had been doing a lot of shoveling as part of daily clean up in fines crusher. Right elbow became aggravated.

November 12, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal assistant mine foreman, assistant mine manager OTHER
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employee was walking along the west side of the indurating machine when they felt something in left eye. Rubbed eye and did not think much about it. Later in the day, it became irritated, so eye was flushed. Eye was flushed again at end of shift. Woke up during the night, and eye was burning. Unsure of what got in the eye and from where.

October 10, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was operating a loader cleaning up around the shovel when they scooped up a bucket of material with a large rock in it on the right side. Soft ground caused the loader to begin tipping/sinking to the right, so employee lowered the main boom fast jarring the loader down causing back and neck pain.

August 14, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal driller, highwall operator, highwall drill operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The employee was walking around the drill when their footing slipped on burden, twisting the knee. Lighting, weather, and uneven ground are the root cause of the injury.

July 7, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal ENTRAPMENT
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

EE was in elevator in Primary crusher and it stopped between floors E and D. EE notified control room via Gaitronics. It took some time to locate the key to move the elevator and open the door. EE was in the elevator for approximately 90 minutes. The door had been pryed open to pass in a water bottle while waiting for the key to move the elevator and open the door.

May 15, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against stationary object

EE was leaving the break room. EE pushed on the glass with the pinky side of left hand to open the door. In doing so, broke the glass and cut left hand and forearm.

May 7, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by falling object

Employee was guiding a roller deck roller up the stairs when one end became detached from the spreader bar and dropped approximately 10 feet glancing against the employees shoulder.

March 5, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by flying object

Employees were changing lip shrouds on a Shovel bucket. They were pounding on the old liner and a small piece of metal struck the employee in the abdomen causing a cut which required sutures.

March 3, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking from shuttle wagon to Bentonite unload bldg. EE slipped but was able to grab onto the edge of the railcar to keep from falling. Employee felt a pain in lower back at that time.

January 21, 2020 MN · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Employee was cleaning on the N side of the shuttle car bin and heard a noise inside the bin area. Employee went to the south side and opened the doors to take a look and inadvertently put a foot on the rail as the wheel was coming by resulting in the right foot being run over causing three toes to sustain fractures.

December 29, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking from pickup truck to a piece of mobile equipment. There was ice underneath the snow. The employee slipped and landed on right side bruising rib area.

November 18, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal machinist HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

While laying on EE's side, employee was pulling the coolant tank under the band saw when EE heard/felt a pop in EE's left shoulder.

November 5, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech Fatality · POWERED HAULAGE
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck against a moving object

Employee was driving Service truck SR136 on the main haul road heading east towards the pit. For unknown reasons at this time it appears the truck hit the berm on the south side of the road causing it to tip sideways ending up on the drivers side. EE was found outside of the vehicle.

October 21, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall from machine

EE was changing auto lube canisters located on the pulley bearings. EE started to climb down, thinking EE was closer to the catwalk than EE was. EE let go of grip, foot slipped on mud and EE fell to the catwalk injuring EE's back.

September 26, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal utility man, shift tech, service/dump truck operator MACHINERY
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was moving drill cable and the driller started to move the cable before employee was clear. Cable struck employee, knocking employee to the ground.

September 20, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Fall from ladders

Employee was installing a fire hydrant being supported by a strap attached to a bucket. When the strap was disconnected the pipe rotated at the coupling causing the ladder to become unstable which caused the worker to fall off the ladder approximately 8-10 feet to the dirt below. The EE had sore rib area and torso and sore back.

August 11, 2019 MN · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine Inc. · Struck by flying object

An air hammer bit got stuck in the wall trying to relieve old concave liners from the primary crusher mainframe. A coworker hit the bit with a hammer, and the bit came free cutting EE's finger and stomach.

Showing 50 of 288