Mining Incidents

BELLE FOURCHE MILL Metal/Non-Metal

Belle Fourche, Butte County, SD  ·  Active
MSHA Mine ID: 3900049

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
43
Years on record
2000–2015
Latest incident
Aug 2015
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
214
citations
53
significant & substantial
$59,618
proposed penalties
$58,000
paid to date
Source: MSHA violations data, updated weekly.
Quarterly safety rates
Citations per million employee-hours, as reported to MSHA
Quarter Hours worked Citations S&S Per 1M hrs
2025 Q4 2,510 0 0 0.0
2024 Q3 369 0 0 0.0
2024 Q2 2,689 1 0 371.9
2024 Q1 2,654 0 0 0.0
2023 Q3 2,637 3 0 1137.7
2023 Q1 782 0 0 0.0
2022 Q4 506 0 0 0.0
2022 Q2 465 0 0 0.0
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

43 on file

2015 · 2 incidents

May 7, 2015 SD · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman STRIKING OR BUMPING
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

Employee hit elbow on a handrail and a pre-existing bone spur on his elbow ruptured his Bursa Sac in his elbow and it started to swell. Took employee to a Dr. and he was released to full duty no restrictions. Employee went back for a follow up visit two weeks later and the Dr. then placed him on restrictions.

2014 · 2 incidents

March 13, 2014 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech POWERED HAULAGE
American Colloid Company · Struck by powered moving object

EE was walking through the warehouse when he was struck by the tire of the forklift. The EE had lost work days due to the sprained ankle, thus constituting MSHA reportability.

January 16, 2014 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
American Colloid Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Recordable shift in hearing

2012 · 1 incident

February 22, 2012 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE was stacking 50 pound bags of finished product on pallets. Felt some discomfort in right wrist. Was placed on restrictions of no lifting over 10 pounds due to muscle strain, thus constituting MSHA Reportability.

2011 · 1 incident

July 25, 2011 SD · Metal/Non-Metal front-end loader, scraper-loader operator, pan operator, payloader, scraper rig operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

Operator was picking up a piece of plywood off the ground. He bent down to pick it up and when he started lifting felt a strain in his back. Operator was put on lifting restrictions for 1 week thus constituting MSHA reportability as a restricted injury.

2010 · 3 incidents

December 20, 2010 SD · Metal/Non-Metal clerk, timekeeper, office worker, director of sales SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall to the walkway or working surface

EE was walking out to his pickup to get something. He stepped off the side walk towards his pickup when his feet slipped out from under him causing him to land on his buttocks and jarring his back.

September 15, 2010 SD · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech MACHINERY
American Colloid Company · Struck by falling object

EE was cutting a coupler in half with a band saw, he turned the saw on and the blade caught and kicked up. When it kicked up, it came down and cut the EE's finger.

February 11, 2010 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

EE tripped and dropped a bucket of treat, the treat went under his safety glasses and got in his right eye.

2009 · 1 incident

June 17, 2009 SD · Metal/Non-Metal assayer, geologist, metallurgist, engineer, engineer management OTHER
American Colloid Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

none

2008 · 1 incident

October 16, 2008 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall from machine

EE was going ladder on trackmobile, foot slipped, lost footing and fell. Shoulder popped, it was stiff and sore, but no medical treatment. In 1/2009 EE went to DR and Negative MRI showed inflamation and physical therapy was ordered. Date I was advised was 1/7/09.

2007 · 3 incidents

March 3, 2007 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
American Colloid Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking, turned to walk other way, and felt his back 'pop'. Sustained acute back strain. EE began missing work 3/5/07.

January 31, 2007 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall from machine

EE was barring a chunk of frozen mtrl at tailsection of feed conveyor. Material came loose and he lost balance, and fell approx. 2 ft to ground, spraining right ankle. He missed work next day 2/1, thus constituting MSHA reportability. Not scheduled to work on 2/2. Return to work w/0 any restriction 2/5/07.

January 4, 2007 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
American Colloid Company · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

Operators trying to unplug overs pipe that leads to turbo mill. When screen moved, it caught EE's right pinky finger between screen outlet and discharge pipe. Finger tip fracture and stitches required.

2006 · 1 incident

May 22, 2006 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator POWERED HAULAGE
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

EE was trying to get clay to flow thru #2 mill direct grind rotary feeder and airslide. He removed cap from pipe between rotary feeder and airslide trying to get the clay to flow. While doing this process the rotary feeder cut off the top of his right index finger just above the join, right at bottom of fingernail. Some bone removed.

2005 · 3 incidents

November 23, 2005 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
American Colloid Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE was walking and turned and heard a pop. Diagnosis was a pulled muscle. He was instructed not to work for a week, thus constituting lost time, MSHA reportability for muscle strain.

April 7, 2005 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator NONPOWERED HAULAGE
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS PUSHING WHEELBARROW LOADED WITH CLAY UP A RAMP TO DUMP BACK INTO BIN. EXPERIENCED SHARP PAIN IN HIS LOWER LEFT LEG. TAKEN TO E.R./SURGERY NEXT A.M. MEDICAL/STITCHES/LOST TIME.

April 7, 2005 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Struck by flying object

EE WAS FILLING A BULKBAG & GOT A CLAY SPEC IN HIS EYE. HE WENT TO EYE DR. ON 4/12/05 & THEY REMOVED THE FOREIGN BODY/DUSTRUST RING.

2004 · 6 incidents

September 13, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE MISSED WORK 9/20/04 TO SEE DOCTOR - COMPLAINT OF ACHILLES TENDON AGGRAVATION. EE STATES AGGRAVATION HAPPENED AT WORK DURING THE WEEK OF 9/13/04 WHILE WALKING IN MUDDY CONDITIONS. PREVIOUS CONDITION? WORK RELATED? IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME AS TO WHETHER THIS IS A WORKERS' COMP. CLAIM OR NOT, BUT EE DID MISS A DAY OF WORK TO SEE DOCTOR, SO REPORTING AS LOST-TIME.

July 27, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

EE openingair valve on the end of railcar hose- swung around and struck shin bone, causing puncture/ cut. Required 3 stitches.

May 27, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall down stairs

EE CARRYING BUCKET OF POY FOR BATCH, TRIPPED UP STAIRS, SPRAINING LEFT WRIST. IMMOBILIZED WITH SPLINT, THUS CONSTITUING MSHA REPORTABLILITY.

May 3, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CHECKING EQUIPMENT, BENT OVER UNDER PIPE, THEN TRIPED OVR BOLT ON TANK TOP. STRAIN TO LOWER BACK. EE MISSED 5/4/04 (1 DAY) THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

January 26, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Struck by falling object

EE WAS REMOVING GUARD FROM DRIVE WITH ANOTHER EE. LOST HIS GRIP AND DROPPED IT ON HIS LEG, IRRITATING SCIATICA NERVE. EE WAS PRESCRIBED PAIN KILLERS AND MUSCLE RELAXANTS AND MISSED 2 DAYS OF WORK, THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY. EXAMINATIONS BY PHYSICIANS REVEALED NO SERIOUS INJURY.

January 5, 2004 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE, GETTING ON FORKLIFT, TRIPPED ON SHOELACES THAT WERE UNTIED. FELL ON RECENTLY INJURED/OPERATED-ON SHOULDER THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DISLOCATED DUE TO SOFTBALL INJURY AND REINJURED. LOST TI ME AT HOME WITH ARM IN SLING FOR APPROX. 1 WEEK. POSSIBLE LIGHT DUTY TO FOLLOW.

2003 · 4 incidents

October 1, 2003 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, BACK STRAIN. MISSED NEXT SHIFT OF WORK THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

June 10, 2003 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator OTHER
American Colloid Company · Bodily reaction, (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BENDING OVER TO WALK UNDER AUGER AND INJURED HIS BACK CAUSING BACK STRAIN. EE SOUGHT CHIROPRACTIC CARE THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

March 1, 2003 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STRIKING OR BUMPING
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS RUNNING UP STAIRCASE, RAN INTO SAFETY RAIL ACROSS STAIRWAY, STRUCK ACROSS BRIDGE OF NOSE, FRACTURING NOSE.

January 23, 2003 SD · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE STRAINED MUSCLES IN LOWER BACK WHILE BOARING OUT A HOPPER WITH A BAR. EE TOOK FOLLOWING WEEK OFF WORK VACATION LOST TIME REPORTABILITY.

2002 · 8 incidents

December 12, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Struck by flying object

EE WAS CLIMBING 6 FT LADDER. HE BLACK OUT, FELL OFF TO SIDE AND CAUGHT HIS RIGHT FOOT BETWEEN TWO POLES. IN THE FALL HE BUMPED HIS HEAD AND LEFT EYE IRRITATION IN THE DUST. HE WASNT SURE IF TH E FALL CAUSED THE BLACKOUT OR THE BLACKOUT CAUSETHE FALL. THERE WAS DEBRISIN EYE THAT WAS SURGICALLY REMOVED, NOT JUST WASHED OUT EMBEDDED AT THE EYE INSTITUTE.

December 3, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal forklift operator SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
American Colloid Company · Fall onto or against objects

EMPLOYEE SLIPPED AND FELL ON WET WAREHOUSE FLOOR WHILE GOING TO SHUT GARAGE DOOR (OFF OF FORKLIFT). SNOWY WET CONDITIONS, EE FELL AND HIT HIS WRIST ON FORKLIFT TOOTH, FRACTURING LEFT WRIST.

November 25, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
American Colloid Company · (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE SUFFERED A MILD HEART ATTACK/ANGINA. HE WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL IN SPEARFISH AND LATER TO RC REGIONAL WHERE TESTS WERE RUN, BLOCKAGE DISCOVERED AND ANGIOPLASTY DONE.

October 10, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EE WAS LIFTING A 100 LB BAG AND FELT A POP IN HIS LOWER BACK. PAIN OCCURRED AFTER THE POP. EE SOUGHT CHIROPRATIC CARE ON 10/11/02 THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

October 2, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator STRIKING OR BUMPING
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

EE CAUGHT RIGHT KNEE ON SHARP EDGE OF PACKET SPOUT WHILE STEPPING FROM PACKER CHAIR TO THE FLOOR. HE CUT KNEE. REQUIRED STITCHES AND TETANUS SHOT, THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

September 18, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Colloid Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS CUTTING A BELT WITH RAZOR UTILITY KNIFE. THE KNIFE SLIPPED PIERCING LEFT INDEX FINGER. EE REQUIRED STITCHES, CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

September 11, 2002 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE BENT OVER TO PICK UP A BUCKET OF POLYBUTENE AND WHEN HE LIFTED IT, FELT A POP IN HIS UPPER BACK/NECK. EMPLOYEE SOUGHT CHIROPRACTIC CARE, THUS CONSTITUTING MSHA REPORTABILITY.

2001 · 3 incidents

August 3, 2001 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in wielding or throwing objects

EE WAS THROWING 50LBS AND 100LBS OF BENTONITE FROM CONVEYOR BELT TO PALLET. BENDING, TWISTING, TURNING REPETATIVE MOTION. LOWER BACK STRAIN.

May 29, 2001 SD · Metal/Non-Metal backhoe operator, trackhoe operator, crane operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

EMPLOYEE WORKING WITH PACKING CREW THROWING BAGS, STACKING ONTO A PALLET, LOWER BACK STRAIN, CHIROPRACTOR VISITS AND LOST TIME CONSTITUTE MSHA REPORTABILITY.

April 5, 2001 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE REACHED FOR A FALLING BAG OFF CONVEYOR BELT. REACHING, GRABBING, TWISTING, HE STRAINED HIS LOWER BACK. LOST TIME (1 DAY) AND CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT CONSTITUTE MSHA REPORTABILITY.

2000 · 4 incidents

October 19, 2000 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Colloid Company · Struck against stationary object

EE WAS TIGHTENING BANDING STRIPS ON A PALLET. HECUT HIS LEFT THUMB REQUIRING 7 STICHES.

August 3, 2000 SD · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec POWERED HAULAGE
American Colloid Company · Caught in, under or between (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS THROWING BAGS AT THE GRANULAR PACKER OFF THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM WHEN IS LEFT HAND (WEARING GLOVES) GOT PULLED IN BETWEEN THE CONVEYOR AND ROLLER, CAUSING SKIN AND MUSCLE LACERATIONS, FRACT URED FOREARM & ELBOW.

August 2, 2000 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator MACHINERY
American Colloid Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS BLOWING DOWN HIS WORK AREA AND THE AIRHOSE CAME OFF THE BLOWPIPE, LOST CONTROL OF IT, SNAKING AROUND. IT DIRECTED A SHORT BLAST OF COMPRESSED AIR INTO HIS EAR.

August 1, 2000 SD · Metal/Non-Metal warehouseman, bagger, palletizer/stacker, store keeper, packager, fabricator, cleaning plant operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
American Colloid Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EMPLOYEE WAS PAINTING THE FLOOR UNDER A TANK, HE WAS WORKING IN AN AREA WHERE HE HAD TO BEND OVER TO DO THE JOB. (LOWER BACK STRAIN)