Mining Incidents

Ivanhoe ConcentratorMetal/Nonmetal

Controlled by Freeport-McMoRan Inc
Bayard, Grant County, NM · Abandoned
MSHA Mine ID: 2901882
Fatalities
1
Total incidents
70
Years on record
2000–2012
Latest incident
Jul 2012

Fatalities at this mine

1 recorded
Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee got out of cab and stepped toward window & knee gave out. Employee did not slip or trip, footing was good, maintained 3 point contact, from a flat surface, but as employee shifted his weight his knee gave out.

Reportable incidents

69 on file (excluding fatalities above)

2012 · 9 incidents

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

Employee was replacing a belt on a motor on a locked out agitator. After replacement employee turned pulley causing his right thumb to be pinched between the belt and pulley. This caused a fracture of the bone at the tip of his right thumb.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was walking upstairs to the south thickener to do her normal rounds when she felt her knee pop out of place. She was taken to the ER, a brace was put on her knee, and she was referred to an Orthopedic doctor, now waiting on MRI, released to work with restrictions. ONGOING.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While taking mill samples employee was lifting his 22 lb. sample bucket to take to the Met Lab and twisted his back the wrong way, causing pain in his lower back. He was taken to the ER, given and restricted duty.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was bending over to fill out paperwork as he stood up right he strained his lower back.

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

EE was helping reposition a ball bucket when her foot was pinched between the ball bucket and the stairway. EE was taken off work.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was cleaning station when she slipped and felling injuring her lower back and wrist. EE was taken in to Clinic, she was taken off work.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was getting out of his vehicle when he twisted his left ankle. EE was taken to the clinic. EE was released back to work with restrictions.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was standing up from a sitting position when he felt his knee pop. EE initially refused any medical treatment. On April 25th 2012 EE called his supervisor on day off to inform he was going to be seen at the clinic for his knee. EE was placed on restrictions.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee had climbed up a 3 rung ladder to a platform, when he put his left leg on first step to start going down it hyper extended.

2011 · 5 incidents

Accident type, without injuries

Night security guard noticed lightning, then at 4:11 noticed the flames. Lightning had struck a power pole next to the reclamation offices near tailings area. The pole was burned beyond use. No damage to the building and no personnel were working in the offices at the time. The fire was extinguished at 4:45.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

The employee was starting to walk down an incline into the Sag #1 feed tunnel; he slipped on some mud and fell on his back and right shoulder. He was in pain and taken to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, and taken off work. ONGOING

Struck against a moving object

A 998H loader was being used to load 740 haul truck. When rolling the bucket out of the bed, a bucket tooth hung on the bed causing employee to move around in the cab.

Struck by falling object

Employee was working under walkway and looked up, dirt from the walkway above fell and got into employee's right eye. He repeatedly flushed his eye, was examined by an EMT then taken to the clinic and was given a prescription, and returned to work.

Fall from machine

The employee was exiting a transportation van at the tailings dam pond 4 location. It was still dark and ground area was level. Upon exit, the employee fell to the ground. The employee had pain in her right lower leg.

2010 · 1 incident

(Not Elsewhere Classified)

Personal Illness. Employee was surveying when he became dizzy and he sat down on the berm. The employee was observed by a co-worker who went to the employee to check on him and he immediately called the supervisor to come to the area where the employee was located. A First Responder was contacted and a Mayday was called. The employee was transported to the area hospital.

2009 · 3 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was ascending a boarding ladder on a CAT 777 haul truck. When the employee lost his grip, he slipped allowing his body to twist. The employee supported his weight with his right side to prevent from falling to the ground.

Fall from machine

An employee was climbing up a boarding ladder, and the employee lost his grip causing the employee to fall to the ground.

Struck against a moving object

Operator driving the 621 water wagon hit a bump in the road sand seat bottomed out causing lower back pain. The seat was not set in proper position allowing full shock absorbing capability.

2008 · 11 incidents

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was bending over closing the drain on the vacuum system in the X-Ray sampling room and when he tried to stand back up, the employee said that he felt pain in his lower back and could not stand up straight.

Struck by falling object

While placing a steel plate in place as a barrier, the bolt was placed in wrong and the plate slipped and hit the employee on the left foot, fracturing his metatarsal.

Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was operating a D9 dozer and throttling forward pushing a load. His left hand was on the throttle control and he drove over a small drop off on the ground, jamming his left wrist against the throttle control. He was taken to the clinic, and referred to a specialist for evaluation to determine if he has a tear or hairline fracture in his wrist. Ongoing.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

The flotation crew was in the process of installing liners on the spare vertimill screw with the screw suspended 4-6 inches above the ground. The brakes on the crane failed, causing the screw to sway pushing the employee against a crossmember in the stand. He sustained a scrape and contusions on his right shoulder and chest area.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was directing a skid steer operator in lifting a metal saw horse when the saw horse slid off the bucket. The sawhorse landed above the safety toe of his left foot causing a deep contusion.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was washing on the feeder floor at the primary crusher. He turned around to wash a different spot and felt his ankle give and rolled it. He was taken to the doctor, diagnosed with strain, and given restricted duty until 08/15/08. (Same ankle employee injured in 2007)

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was mopping the ladies restroom when the end of the fiberglass mop handle poked the employee in the right eye. Employee was working at a faster pace due to not completing assigned areas from the day before.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee waw taking antifeeze over to the dozer area. While standing near the dozer station area, he took a step to the right and rolled his right ankle. He was taken in to be checked and taken off work for approx. 4 wks. Currently ONGOING.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was checking vertimill cyclone apexes in underflow tub and got stuck in mud, strained right leg and knee while attempting to free himself.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was struck on the rt side of his face by a wrench on 4/9 while trying to remove a coupling using portapowers, but did not go to the doctor due to lack of visible injury or pain. On 4/18, his wife noticed his eye was not dilating. He was taken to the clinic, diagnosed with inflammation and swelling of the eye ball, given drops, and returned to work.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was in front of the #3 Ball Mill basement floor float trunnion. As he went to leave he slipped on oil on the floor, fell and hurt his left shoulder. He was taken to the ER and taken off work until he can be evaluated by his personal physician on 2/25/08. ONGOING.

2007 · 15 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Climbing onto boom truck, he felt a sharp pain in right hamstring. Refused medical care until 2/8/08. Was given restricted duty on 2/12/08.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

While walking from the thickner, employee slipped on some mud, stumbled but did not fall to the ground and strained his back. He was taken to the ER and taken off and released to his next regular shift, 8/13/07. He reported to work, but complained of pain, was told to see his personal physician, and taken off work until 8/21/07. ONGOING.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was walking upstairs to report to work, carrying his coveralls under one arm, a 32 oz soda in one hand and 2 burritos in the other. As he reached the top of the stairs, with one foot on the step and the other on the landing, he tripped and hit his kneecap, chipping it. Currently ONGOING.

Struck by flying object

Employee was changing polidecks on #1 sag mill screen bottom deck. Debris entered both eyes when another employee removed a panel causing the debris to fall. When she reported to work the following day, she complained of pain in right eye. Was taken to an OD, and given an antibiotic.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking back from the lunch room when he stepped in a puddle of water. The road had just been washed, and water had collected in a pot hole. He stepped on the edge of the pot hole, causing him to fall and twist his ankle. He was taken the ER, taken off work for 5 days, and referred to an orthopedic physician to verify any chips or fractures.

Struck against a moving object

Employee was a passenger in a Kowasaki Mule going down a 5% slope ramp near the moly plant. The ramp was wet with a mud build up at the bottom. When employee hit the brakes, the mule slid into a column, causing the passenger to his his knee on the dashboard. He was taken to the clinic and knee brace was applied.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking to the main gate to get a key when he tripped on a step and fell to the ground. He hit and broke his left knee cap on the concrete slab.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Employee was shoveling material off the stacker when he felt a pain on the right side of his back below the shoulder blade. He was treated with an ice pack and ibuprofen and didn't want to see a physician. On 06/06/07, employee requested to see a physician, and was taken off work until 6/11/07.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was changing out idler in the concentrator division. While using a pry bar to lift the idler to remove washers from under idler, pry bar slipped; the idler struck his finger resulting in injury.

Struck against stationary object

Employee was driving a forklift down the hill on N side of Met lab & either hit the brakes or reverse pedal at the top of the hill, lost control, and started up the bank to the left. Forklift laid over on its side. Employee sustained a lacerated elbow, which required sutures, road rash on back of shoulders and a fractured nose. He claimed the engine stalled.

Struck by flying object

Employee was assisting on removing a broken inner liner on Sag #2 when a grinding ball blew up and a piece of the ball hit the employee on the lower jaw, causing a laceration which required two sutures to close.

Fall onto or against objects

Employee was going into the supervisor's change room, slipped, fell and hit her head and shoulder on a notice box mounted on the the outside wall. This jarred her neck. She was taken to the dr, diagnosed with a strain, then went the ER and taken off work until 4/13. Currently ongoing.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was stepping over a 10"" drisco pipe, right foot was over the pipe, foot gave way in sand. When employee tried to catch himself, his left foot stuck and he heard a pop in his left ankle and felt pain. He was taken to the ER, diagnosis pending MRI, taken off work. Currently Ongoing.

Struck by flying object

Employee was working in ball mill while other employees were using a jack hammer to remove a bolt. When they hit the bolt, feed fell between his safety glasses and eye. He flushed his eyes, but by Wednesday, 2-21, his eye was irritated. He was taken to the doctor, a small speck of metal was removed (not embedded), given antibiotics and returned to work.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was walking from the employee parking lot to the truck shop on the access road when he slipped on pea gravel, causing his feet to come out from under him. He landed on his back and head, causing severe pain to his lower back. He was taken to the ER and taken off work through 01/16/07.

2006 · 3 incidents

Struck by flying object

While installing new launders beween the 3 & 4 flotation rows, a hydraulic ram and spacer were being used to expand sections into place. The spacer kicked out from the jack and struck the employee on the right eyebrow, close to the nose, required 3 sutures to close.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

While lifting a heavily loaded garbage can, the EE's right shoulder popped resulting in extreme pain for the EE. He was diagnosed with a strained joint and taken off work until his next work rotation, missing his next shift, pm of 8/24. He reported to work on his next rotation, 8/27 and hurt too much to continue working and went home, called requesting to see a DR. ONGOING.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee stepped into a hole in the concrete outside the smelter scale house and tripped hitting his chin on the ground and cutting his lower lip with his teeth. He received 3 stitches and was given prescriptions and released to work.

2005 · 11 incidents

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

A concentrator employee was walking up the stairs, hit his toe on the first step and twisted his foot sideways. He had some swelling and pain but did not go the doctor. Later that evening the pain and swelling became more intense. He went to the clinic, had x-rays taken. Nothing broken but he does have a sprained ankle and will be on crutches and out at least a week.

Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was using a hammer to help open a sump gate on Sag 2 sump when he felt a pop in his lower back above his left hip. He continued to work but later after using the skid loader, he felt tingling in his toes. He was taken to the dr. given a prescription and taken off work. Currently on going.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee was assisting another employee pulling wire from one level to the next. As the employee above was pulling the wire up, it wrapped around a piece of conduit on the floor, lifting it up and striking the employee between his glasses and hardhat, on the eyebrow, causing a cut which required four stitches to close.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was in process of checking flotation for possible start up later in shift. She was walking through area with about 6"" of mud. Her feet got stuck in mud, she was trying to move & fell down to her knees. She put out her hands to brake her fall. She had swelling in left wrist so was taken to hospital. Later her knees, rt foot & head started hurting. Given release for 8/11.

Struck by falling object

While rebuilding a clean-up pump in the shop, the shaft fell off blocking smashing the tip of employee's ring finger. Employee continued working that day, reported to work the next day, but on the third day took himself to the Dr. and was diagnosed with a fractured finger tip. He reported to work with no restrictions.

Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS IN A KNEELING POSITION CALIBRATING A MARCY SCALE AT A DISTRIBUTION BOX AND FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO STAND UP. HE WAS TAKEN TO HIS PHYSICIAN, DIAGNOSED WIT A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION, WHICH WAS AGGRAVATED ATTEMPTING TO STAND BACK UP, HE WAS TAKEN OFF WORK FOR 5 DAYS, THEN RELEASED WITH A SEVEN DAY, LESS THAN 10 LBS LIFTING RESTRICTION

Struck by falling object

SAG MILL MAINTENANCE. EE WAS EXTRACTING THE LIFTER BAR FROM THE WEAR PLATE & IT ROLLED OFF THE BOLT, FALLING AGAINST HIS LEG & CAUSING A DEEP CONTUSION. EE RTW NEXT NIGHT, WORKED SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE COMPLAINING OF PAIN & GOING HOME. HE CALLED OFF SHIFT 5/14 & SAW PERSONAL PHYSICIAN ON 5/16. RECOMMENDED STAY OFF LEG APPROX. 4 DAYS. AS OF 5/26 NOT RELEASED TO RTW.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS USING A CUTTING DISC ON A 4 1/2"" GRINDER TO CUT THE END OFF THE STILL WELLS FROM THE MOLY PLANT. THE BLADE BOUND IN THE STEEL AND KICKED BACK AND STRUCK HIS LEFT WRIST

Over-exertion in lifting objects

Fusion tech. was lifting end of 18"" HDPE and complained of back strain.

Struck by powered moving object

EE WAS CONNECTING THE FLEX HOSE USING DOZER TO PICK UP THE HOSE WITH THE BLADE. DOZER OPERATOR LOWERED THE BLADE SLOWLY WHILE EE WAS TIGHTENING THE BOLTS ON THE PIPE FLANGE. BLADE CAME DOWN ON EE'S LEFT FOOT JUST ABOVE THE SAFETY TOE. EE STATED HE DID NOT REALIZE HIS FOOT WAS THAT CLOSE TO THE BLADE. TAKEN TO ER: DIAG. FRACTURED METATARSAL; SEES ORTH. SPECIALIST ON 1/31/05.

Struck by flying object

EE was working in the top end of the tower mill where he was required to crawl in & out of a small space for access to the work, unaware of anything his eye until he was home. He reported his eye was hurting. they flushed it at the shop, where they found small piece of metal, some rust & a slight infection & given four rx and return to work. no time loss

2004 · 3 incidents

Struck against stationary object

EMPLOYEE WAS ON LOCOMOTIVE WHICH WAS PULLING CONCENTRATE CARS. THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED RESULTING IN DERAILMENT. THE EMPLOYEE JUMPED FROM THE TRAIN, INJURING HIS RIGHT KNEE, RIGHT HAND AND LEFT SHOULDER. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR AND DIAGNOSED WITH KNEE STRAIN. HE IS TO USE A KNEE BRACE AND CRUTCHES FOR A WEEK, THEN TRY A WEEK WITHOUT; FURTHER EVALUATION AFTER THE SECOND WEEK.

Fall to the walkway or working surface

Employee was clearing dirt and rocks from around a pipe trench on uneven ground, Employee lost his balance and fell sideways, his foot was between pipe and dirt, his weight of body falling sideways caused a fracture to his right ankle.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS HIT IN THE CHIN BY A PIECE OF STEEL THAT SPLINTERED OFF A GRINDING BALL. LACERATION REQUIRED 10 STITCHES. PLANT WAS DOWN, EE'S WERE ON TOUR. BALLS BECOME HOT & WHILE COOLING SOMETIMES HAVE PIECES SPLINTER OFF.

2001 · 1 incident

Struck by flying object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE LOADER BUCKET TOOTH, WHILE ANOTHER EMPLOYEE USED A 41 LB HAMMER TO HIT THE BACK OF THE TOOTH, WHEN A PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF, STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE ON THE HAND.

2000 · 7 incidents

Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING HOODS ON LIGHT FIXTURES IN FLOATATION AREA. EMPLOYEE IS SENSITIVE TO CONCENTRATION.

Struck by falling object

LEAVING WORK PLATFORM UNDER GMT, PLACED HAND ON THE CATCH OF A SAFETY BAR. SAFETY BAR DROPPED AND LANDED ON RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER.

Over-exertion in lifting objects

LIFTING STEEL FLIGHTS FOR FEEDER. PLACED HANDS ON LOAD TO GUIDE IT, CAUSING A PINCH POINT.

Struck by falling object

EMPLOYEE DROPPED TRICON ON HIS LEFT FOOT, WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HANDS.

Fall from machine

OPERATING DOZER ON STOCK PILE, EMPLOYEE THOUGHT HE FELT THE DOZER SHIFT AND JUMPED FROM DOZER.

Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

AS EE CRAWLED OUT OF THE MOLY CELLS, HE LOOKED UP TO GET OUT AND A PIECE OF GRATING USED TO BLOCK THE LADDER SWUNG AND THE CORNER HIT HIM ON THE LIP.

Fall from machine

EE INJURED LEFT ANKLE WHILE DISMOUNTING BULLDOZER AFTER DISCUSSING WORK SCOPE WITH EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.