Mining Incidents

USMC Ione PlantMetal/Nonmetal

US Mine Corp · Surface
IONE, Amador County, CA · Active
MSHA Mine ID: 0401878
Fatalities
0
Total incidents
58
Years on record
2000–2025
Latest incident
Aug 2025
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

58 on file

2025 · 4 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Using a cylinder hand cart to move a helium gas cylinder to the lab. Cart wheel caught a rock and stopped rolling. IW's momentum caused them to tip over the cart forward and left hand was pinned between the cart and metal grating. Left hand had a small diameter but deep laceration that required stitches to close. No lost days or restrictions.

Struck by falling object

Removing skid plate from a haul truck and the plate shifted. Struck IW in chest/shoulders. Contusions and general soreness, has follow up on 7/3/25

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Closing a shipping container door and pinched left middle finger in door. Declined medical attention initially. Finger still sore 4/15/25 and went to get checked. No fracture, sprain/strain/contusion.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IW has had slowly progressing discomfort in right writs/forearm/elbow. Twisting motions seem to bring it on, IW twists sample jar caps on and off frequently in lab.

2024 · 5 incidents

Flash burns (welding)

Using a cutting torch and had a splitsecond flash/flare up. Went to clinic for evaluation. Placed on modified duty until follow up.

Struck against stationary object

Repairing a machine guard, caught right forearm on a sharp piece of metal and lacerated it. Took to emergency room and they stitched it closed.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Replacing a small motor and right ring fingertip got smashed. Suffered a broken fingertip and laceration.

Fall from machine

Working to remove an out of service apron feeder. Tripped and unexpectedly stepped off to the ground approx 30"" below. Had significant left knee pain. Taken to ER for treatment. Placed off work, awaiting MRI for better diagnosis.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

IW descending a fixed ladder and fell. Left leg got caught in ladder safety cage or possibly ladder rung and caused a fracture left femur. Ladder is approx 17' high, worker fell approx 15 feet. IW transported to hospital by EMS.

2023 · 4 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

IW sacking pallets of clay, began having mid back pain.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

IW was hooking up a small water trailer to a pickup truck. In the process EE fell and reached out to catch self. EE's left pointer finger tip was caught in between the trailer hitch and ball. Approximately 1/2"" of the tip was amputated. Taken to ER where they performed surgery to properly close the wound.

Struck against stationary object

Walking and stepped on a drain grating. Grating shifted, allowed EE's foot to slide through to the concrete gutter/drain bottom. The grating lacerated IR's right shin in the process. Had a tetanus shot and 5 stitches to close up wound. Returned to work/no restrictions.

Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

Used hammer to jar jammed knife gate free and shoveled sand. Had gradually increasing shoulder pain. Clinic diagnoses shoulder sprain/impingement and placed on restricted duty until follow up.

2022 · 2 incidents

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Manipulating a dump bucket lever and struck in shoulder by the bucket. Had an old non-work shoulder injury that was reaggravated. Placed on

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Moving roofing tinwork at ground level on 1/25, 1/26 and 1/27. At some point began feeling pain in their back. Pain became bad enough 1/27/22 that EE then reported it and wanted to be seen for medical treatment.

2021 · 5 incidents

Fall onto or against objects

Greasing upper bucket pin on front end loader. Worker was standing on a step approximately 24"" above ground level. Worker's foot slipped and worker landed with back on the bucket.

Struck by flying object

Dresco pipe ruptured, whipped to the side and struck employee in the leg. Left lower leg fracture.

Fall onto or against objects

Slipped getting out of office chair, plopped back down into chair and jarred EE's back. Mentioned it to supervisor, but did not want medical tx at that time. Requested medical tx 8/4 due to lingering back pain.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Slip and fall at ground level near the drier pad, per employee they ""tripped over our feet"". Twisted ankle and knee. Did not initially want medical evaluation, but pain grew worse and they asked to be seen on 7/26/21. No diagnosis yet, other than ""nothing broken, possible sprain/strain"". Doctor put them in a knee brace and off work until after follow up visit on 8/9/21.

Struck by flying object

Foreign material in left eye. Believed to have occurred while grinding metal to prep for welding. Small metallic fragment removed from worker's left eye at medical clinic, with no permanent damage done. Worker was wearing proper PPE while grinding.

2020 · 6 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Sacking and stacking clay sacks, developed pain in left quadricep over time during shift.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Slipped and fell on bulk tank platform, struck edge of scaffold step with back. *For the sake of clarity, fall and landing were on the same level of scaffold.

Struck against a moving object

Operates heavy equipment daily, complains of lower back pain.

Struck by falling object

Moving motor shaft during repair of water pump BC-213. Lost grip of motor shaft, dropped it onto left foot. Placed in a walking boot and cleared to return to full duty EE's following shift.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Field service technician dispatched to mine location, arrived at mine near shop location to start work on a downed piece of equipment. Upon exiting vehicle, stepped out onto some uneven ground and rolled an ankle.

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

Washing loader bucket out near sand screen. A check valve had failed and allowed caustic to back flow into the hose prior to this use. The employee was hit with over spray in the process of washing loader. Suffered chemical burns to arms, hands, belly, knee and foot.

2019 · 6 incidents

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Opening pickup tailgate, thumb got caught in the handle as the tailgate swung down. Employee suffered a left thumb sprain.

Fall from machine

Climbing out of loader cab, missed the step causing EE to come all the way down to the ground with EE's left leg fully extended. Felt pain in EE's knee, diagnosed left knee strain.

Struck against a moving object

The scraper behind EE hit hard while the two scrapers were linking up. EE had an onset of back pain over the next 5-10 minutes. Diagnosed as a ""Back contusion"".

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was lifting ~5lbs of samples out of a lab machine and felt a sudden sharp pain towards the rear of left shoulder. Shoulder sprain.

Struck against a moving object

Driving water truck daily. Employee developed back pain over the course of several days and reported it on 8/12/19. Back strain.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Stacking clay sacks, heard a popping noise and felt back pain.

2018 · 7 incidents

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

A Truck raised EE's bed near high power lines. The lines arced to EE's truck causing damage to the tires. The driver was not injured. Staff was inspecting the scene when a tire blew causing their ears to ring. They were sent to a doctor for medical exam. The driver was not injured.

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

A Truck raised bed near high power lines. The lines arced to truck causing damage to the tires. The driver was not injured. Staff was inspecting the scene when a tire blew causing their ears to ring. They were sent to a doctor for medical exam. The driver was not injured.

Fall from ladders

While working near the surge bin, EE fell off an A frame style ladder approximately 3-4 feet. EE suffered lacerations to EE's right arm and head. Treated and cleared to return three days later.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Operating Dozer on gravel when a pre-existing hernia worsened. *for clarity, original cause of hernia was not work related.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

I am doing an investigation. LOTO procedures were not followed.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was picking up a battery moved the wrong way and tweaked their back.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was covering a pile of clay with a tarp when EE stepped onto what EE thought was solid ground. EE soon realized that the ground was giving way. EE fell and when EE was able to get up EE had extreme pain from EE's ribs.(It was raining at the time). EE notified EE's boss and boss took EE to the emergency room.

2017 · 4 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE said to another employee that EE had bent down and when rising EE had twisted back. EE said needed to go home.

Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

A kaolin plant EE was emptying a dump hopper and put hand on the lower rail, when the hopper rolled forward and then back it pinched hand. EE went to the doctor on 9/18/17 and was excused from work till 9/20/17. EE was returned to work full duty. We have since talked about this incident in safety meetings and added guards to equipment.

Fall from machine

Conditions were good. EE was climbing water pull truck using 3 point contact. EE placed foot on Top step and slipped off losing balance. EE lost footing and grip and fell to the ground with most of the weight focused on the left foot. EE heard it crack. EE called safety manager and I took EE to the hospital. Result is a broken L-ankle .

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Build moist cabinet for US Mine corp lab. Work shifted off stand while adjusting. Strained left shoulder not a problem at first. Became very pain full as soon ass I went to bed. Pain increased over night. Went to ER 5-6-17

2016 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

At approx 8:00 am EE was on the middle wet screen area and attempting to take off a cover plate approx 24""x24"" on a wet screen with a pry bar. While creating a gap to wedge open the lid, movement with the pry bar in an up down or ""vertical"" motion, EE right hand thumb was struck between the pry bar and a handrail near the wet screen.

2013 · 1 incident

Fall onto or against objects

EE, working with two other EEs, was cleaning up area with scattered debris. While working from a clear area through a debris pile, EE moved around to opposite side of pile to pull out a cable. While pulling backwards EE stumbled against a broken porcelain insulator attached to a cross arm. Insulator had a jagged edge that cut through pant leg above ee's boot lacerating skin.

2011 · 1 incident

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AS EMPLOYEE WAS WALKING TO THE MAINTENANCE TRUCK HE FELT A ''POP'' IN HIS LEFT KNEE. BY THE TIME HE DROVE UP TO THE MAINTENANCE SHOP HE COULD BARELY WALK.

2010 · 1 incident

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was greasing equipment with a pressure grease gun. The hose on the grease gun failed (pin hole in hose) and injected grease into employees right index finger

2006 · 2 incidents

Struck by falling object

Employee was removing cutting edge from a 657E scraper. The straight pry bar was being use to lift the cutting edge over the bolt (to free cutting edge). When the cutting edge freed up it slid down pry bar striking employee in hand.

Caught in, under or between running or meshing objects

EE was adjusting the track of conveyor belt. He was bent over looking under the cover. He placed his left hand on the cover to brace himself. His hand slipped and was pulled half way through the troughing idler.

2005 · 1 incident

Struck against a moving object

WORKER'S BACK STARTED HURTING HIM AT THE LAST JOB HE WORKED. HE DID NOT REPORT HIS INJURY THEN. ON 7/14/05 WORKER NOTED ON HIS TIME CARD THAT HE HAD BEEN INJURED & WAS NOW REPORTING AN INJURY. HE CLAIMS THE PAIN HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE & NOW NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE INJURY IS A RESULT OF OPERATING A SCRAPER, WORKER DOES NOT RECALL ANY SPECIFIC INCIDENT.

2004 · 1 incident

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS LIFTING A SPARE PART, HE FELT A PAIN TO THELEFT SHOULDER. THIS RESULTED IN A STRAIN TO THE LEFT SHOULDER.

2003 · 1 incident

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

WORKING ON TROMMEL SCREEN AND PINNED HIS LEG IN IT AS IT ROTATED.

2002 · 1 incident

Fall from ladders

WHILE REPAIRING A LEAKING PIPE, THE INDIVIDUAL SLIPPED OFF A LADDER AND FELL APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET TO THE GROUND. THIS RESULTED IN A MINOR SPRAIN TO HIS BACK.

2001 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion in lifting objects

WHILE REPAIRING A MACHINE, EE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A BEARING. HE LIFTED THE BEARING HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS LOWER ABDOMEN. THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT REPORTED UNTIL 9/26/01. AT WHICH TIME HE WAS SEN T TO A DR & PLACED ON 14 DAYS OF MODIFIED DUTY

Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING A GREASE BARREL AND FELT A PAIN IN HIS STOMACH. THE EE REPORTED THIS AT THE END OF THE SHIFT BUT SAID HE WAS OK. ON 10-24-01, EE SAID HIS TAOMCH WAS HURTING AND SAID IT WAS A RE SULT OF THE 9-14-01 ACCIDENT, EE WAS SENT TO THEDR ON 11-25-01 AND PUT ON RESTRICTED DUTY TIL 11-7-01.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE WAS LYING ON HIS BACK LOOKING UP AT HIS WORK WHEN A PARTICLE FELL INTO EMPLOYEE'S EYE. HE RUBBED HIS EYE AND SCRATCHED THE CORNEA.

2000 · 2 incidents

Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

WAS PULLING ON ELECTICAL CABLE DURING A PIT MOV3& STRAINED HIS BACK

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

INATTENTION, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, POOR POSITION OF SHUT OFF SWITCH, LACK OF OVERFLOW PIPING, POOR JUDGEMENT. EYE INJURY REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION, SERIOUS.