Mining Incidents

K-2 Mine Site Metal/Non-Metal

Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Underground
Controlled by Kinross Gold Corp
Curlew, Ferry County, WA  ·  NonProducing
MSHA Mine ID: 4503336

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Fatalities
0
Total incidents
36
Years on record
2001–2022
Latest incident
Aug 2022
Compliance record
MSHA citations since 2000
132
citations
24
significant & substantial
$48,681
proposed penalties
$48,373
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 3,959 5 0 1262.9
2025 Q3 2,916 9 0 3086.4
2025 Q2 2,494 2 0 801.9
2025 Q1 663 0 0 0.0
2024 Q4 2,135 3 1 1405.2
2024 Q3 2,406 2 1 831.3
2024 Q2 2,742 2 0 729.4
2024 Q1 2,234 6 1 2685.8
Quarters under 100,000 reported hours are greyed: too few hours for a stable rate.
No fatalities recorded at this mine.

Reportable incidents

36 on file

2022 · 3 incidents

August 3, 2022 WA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, blacksmith, bull gang, parts runner, roustabout, pick-up man, pitman SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Fall from ladders

Miner entered a concrete enclosure to adjust valving to change flow locations. While entering enclosure miner placed left foot on manifold piping. When miner removed right foot from access ladder, left foot slipped off piping landing approximately 18 to 24 inches to floor level hyperextending left knee resulting in a strain to the left knee.

July 4, 2022 WA · Metal/Non-Metal INUNDATION
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Hazard report, no injury or loss of equipment. Mine development crew mucked out the round from dayshift and started bolting the K5 North heading. Team member noticed a small displacement of rock, which was not beyond anchorage. Team member observed a progressive increase of water in-flow from the area.

July 2, 2022 WA · Metal/Non-Metal drill helper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

Driller assistant was assigned to change the chuck and foot-clamp jaws on the drill rig. EE stepped onto the deck to evaluate and when EE was dismounting the deck, the GFCI for the lights tripped out and is when a slip and fall occurred. This when the individual slipped and fell onto the deck. Contact was made with the deck and individuals lower back.

2018 · 1 incident

August 13, 2018 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

While applying poly foam to the 1715 area, a fitting failed on the application hose and an employee got sprayed in the face with poly foam. The employee was wearing safety glasses with side protection but the foam got up under the glasses and into the eyes of the employee.

2012 · 2 incidents

April 26, 2012 WA · Metal/Non-Metal loader head operator, roscoe operator HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Over-exertion in lifting objects

The miner was lifting bolts up onto the deck of a mechanical bolter and felt a pop in his lower left abdomen.

April 6, 2012 WA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Fall from ladders

EE placed aluminum stairs next to trailer to position overhead light. Then placed 6' step ladder on top platform of stairs. When EE climbed up ladder, stairs and ladder tipped over. EE fractured both wrists, nose and finger in fall.

2011 · 1 incident

November 5, 2011 WA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck by falling object

Employee was installing 8 inch utility pipe working on a scissordeck. The pipe dislodged from the railing and fell. The pipe struck the injured on his left instep. The injured was wearing metatarsal protection boots but the outside small toe metatarsal received two hairline fractures from the impact.

2005 · 3 incidents

September 27, 2005 WA · Metal/Non-Metal quality control technician, laboratory technician, laboratory assistant DISORDERS (REPEATED TRAUMA)
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

Employee experianced tingling in hands. After follow-up with a doctor, it was determined that the employee has carpel tunnel syndrome. The employee was a welder for her previous employer. Working as a sample prep technician has aggravated the condition to the point of needing surgery.

April 10, 2005 WA · Metal/Non-Metal ledgeman/hand, quarry man HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck by flying object

EE was bolting in the 1230 drift. Having trouble with the bolt driver & was attempting to turn the driver collar over. When he hit collar with miner's wrench, small piece of metal broke off the tool & hit him in the side. The object left a very small hole in shirt & a very small puncture wound in his right side. 8/05: Not reportable; first aid & Rx for preventative measures only.

January 18, 2005 WA · Metal/Non-Metal maintenance man, mechanic, repair/serviceman, boilermaker, fueler, tire tech, field service tech HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck against stationary object

Individual was replacing pipe-wrap Insulation in winter conditions. Stood up to reposition himself and lost footing in the snow. Reached out to balance himself, caught hold of the aluminum pipe wrap and caused a small laceration to the palm of his hand, fleshy part under thumb.

2004 · 8 incidents

September 18, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

Ground fall that occured during a blast in an open stope. Ground fall fell out above anchorage point of bolts.

July 21, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal longwall operator, chock operator, shear operator, plow operator HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

EE WAS STRIKING CORE WITH A HAMMER TO FIT IT INTO A BOX. HE WAS HOLDING THE CORE WITH HIS FINGER. HE SMASHED THE MIDDLE FINTER OF THE LEFT HAND, BETWEEN THE HAMMER & THE COARE

May 7, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal bulldozer operator, universal operator, heavy equipment operator, operating engineer HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck against stationary object

The employee was removing a bolt on a piece of pipe and his wrench slipped off the bolt. His little finger struck the pipe, bending it sideways and breaking the small bone behind the knuckle in his hand. His hand was splinted and he was released to work with restricted activities.

April 2, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal bull gang foreman, labor foreman, leadman, section foreman, shift boss FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck by falling object

The employee was working in an escape raise preparing it for the installation of a liner. He dropped his drill steel and climbed to the bottom of the raise to get it. At that time a piece of rock fell out of the raise from an unknown location and hit him on his hardhat causing his hardhat to cut his head. He received 8 sutures and returned to work that shift, full duty.

March 11, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A FALL OF GROUND OCCURRED AT THE INTERSECTION OF 1055 SUMP AND 1055 ACCESS WHEN A NOSE CORNER (RIB) FELL OUT, ALONG WITH SOME ROCK IN THE BACK. THE FALL DID NOT OCCUR ABOVE BELT ANCHORAGE, BUT NUMEROUS 7' SPLIT SET BOLTS DID PULL OUT OF A VERY SOFT GUAGE LAYER THAT THEY WERE ANCHORED IN AND WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL AFTER THE FALL. APPROXIMATELY 100 TONS OF ROCK FELL.

March 3, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Struck by falling object

THE EE WAS BARRING DOWN SOME LOOSE ROCK ON A RIB UNDERGROUND. HE WAS WORKING ON A ROCK 4 FT. HIGH WHEN ANOTHER ROCK FELL ONTO HIS BAR, KNOCKING THE BAR OUT OF HIS HANDS AND ONTO HIS RIGHT FOO T. HIS FOOT WAS BRUISED ONLY, BUT WAS TOO PAINFUL TO WALK ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

February 19, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal POWERED HAULAGE
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Caught in, under or between a moving and a stationary object

THE EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING A Z6T HAUL TRUCK WHILE CLIMBING A 12% GRADE AND NEGOTIATING A LEFT-HAND RADIUS CURVE. THE EMPLOYEE STATED THAT HE LOOKED BEHIND BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE SAW A LIGHT. HE ALSO HAD HIS LEFT ARM OUTSIDE OF THE OPERATOR'S COMPARTMENT. THE TRUCK CRUSHED HIS LOWER ARM AGAINST THE RIB. HIS ARM WAS AMPUTATED AT THE HOSPITAL, BELOW HIS ELBOW.

February 13, 2004 WA · Metal/Non-Metal NO VALUE FOUND
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · No Value Found

TWO MECHANICS WERE CHANGING A BROKEN AXLE ON A LHD, REQUIRING ONE MECHANIC TO LAY UNDERNEATH THE LHD WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH WHILE THE OTHER MECHANIC USED A WRENCH ABOUT 2-3' ABOVE HIM. THE TOP WRENCH FELL AND HIT THE EE IN THE FOREHEAD,RESULTING IN 2 STITCHES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.

2003 · 7 incidents

December 13, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Fall onto or against objects

THE EE WAS BARRING DOWN ON A MUCKPILE. A ROCK BEGAN TO SLIDE DOWN HIS SCALING BAR, SO HE DROPPED HIS BAR AND STEPPED BACK. AS HE DID SO HE TRIPPED ON A ROCK AND FELL BACKWARDS, STRIKING HIS FO REARM ON ANOTHER ROCK AS HE LANDED. RESULTING IN A CUT ON HIS FOREARM REQUIRING TWO SUTURES.

November 24, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal NO VALUE FOUND
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · No Value Found

THE EMPLOYEE GOT OUT OF HIS WATER TRUCK TO LOAD WATER AT THE MINE FOR TRANSPORT TO THE TAILINGS POND. HE SLIPPED ON ICE COVERED BY FRESH SNOW. AS HE FELL, HIS RIGHT ARM GOT CAUGHT ON THE FUEL TANK POSSIBLY TEARING SOME ARM MUSCLES AND ROTOR CUFF IN HIS SHOULDER. AN MRI IS SCHEDULED FOR FINAL DIAGNOSIS. HE HAS NOT YET RETURNED TO WORK.

November 15, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Accident type, without injuries

A FALL OF GROUND OCCURRED NEAR AN INTERSECTION ON THE 810 L. IT WAS ABOVE BOLT ANCHORAGE OF THE 7' SPLIT SETS AND MEASURED APPROXIMATELY 8' H X 15' W X 20' L. IT OCCURRED IN AN AREA THAT HAD A "BELLY" SHAPED BACK AND WHICH HAD BEEN MAKING WATER OFF AND ON. THERE WAS A MINER WORKING BEYOND THE CAVE-IN AND HE ESCAPED BY CRAWLING OVER THE MUCK PILE.

October 13, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Over-exertion in pulling or pushing objects

THE EE WAS CHANGING A 13 HP PUMP IN A SUMP. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE PUMP INTO A MANBASKET ON A FORKLIFT WHEN HE STRAINED A MUSCLE IN HIS LOWER BACK. HE VISITED A CHIROPRACTOR AND WAS PLA CED ON 3 DAYS OF RESTRICTED DUTY.

September 2, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal drill helper SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Exploration Inc. · Fall from scaffolds, walkways, platforms

EE WAS BUILDING A DEC TO STACK RODS ON. HE STEPPED UP ON THE DECK TO MAKE SURE IT WAS STURDY. THE BLOCK SLIPPED OUT AND EE FELL ON HIS KNEE CAUSING A BRUISE. NO OTHER DAMAGE.

June 28, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF FACE/RIB/PILLAR/SIDE/HIGHWALL
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Accident type, without injuries

AT ABOUT 8:45 AM A LHD OPERATOR NOTICED THE RIB WORKING IN 925 RAMP. HE RETREATED & GUARDED THE AREA & CALLED THE SHIFT FOREMAN. AT ABOUT 9:30AM A SECTION OF THE RIB 40'LONG X 15'HIGH X 8'WIDE CAVED BEYOND BOLT ANCHORAGE INTO THE DRIFT. THERE WAS A SLIP (FAULT CONTACT) RUNNING AT 45DEG. AWAY FROM THE SILL THAT HAD BEEN PENETRATED BY A DIAMOND DRILL STRING & SUBJECTED TO WATER.

June 10, 2003 WA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman OTHER
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Inhalation of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THE EE IS AN ELECTRICIAN WHO WAS WORKING UNDERGROUND BETWEEN SHIFTS TO INSTALL A TRANSFORMER. IN DOING SO, THEY HAD TO SHUT DOWN MINE POWER, INCLUDING THE VENTILATION FANS. AFTERWARDS, THE EE EXPERIENCED LUNG IRRITATION & CONGESTION & WENT TO DOCTOR ON 6/17. ALTHOUGH EE DID NOT SMELL, TASTE OR SEE NO2 GAS OR BLASTING FUMES, DR DIAGNOSED NO2 EXPOSURE, PLACED HIM ON STEROIDS & RESTRI

2002 · 3 incidents

December 12, 2002 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Accident type, without injuries

A FAULT INTERSECTION IN THE 2100 L CAVED ABOVE BOLT ANCHORAGE IN THE BACK. THE STRUCTURE WAS WEDGE-SHAPED AND CONSISTED OF ABOUT 50-75 TONS OF ROCK. 7 FT LONG SPLIT-SETS WERE USED, IN CONJUNCT ION WITH CHAIN LINK WIRE. ONE OR MORE SPLIT-SETS HAD RUSTED BADLY. THIS DRIFT WAS DEVELOPED IN EARLY 1995.

July 19, 2002 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Struck by... (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE SLICKER PANTS WERE TORN AT THE BOTTOM. THE EE DECIDED TO CUT OFF A LOOSE PIECE SO WOULD NOT TRIP ON IT. USING A BOX CUTTER TYPE KNIFE, HE PROCEEDED TO DO SO AND SLICED THE HAND HOLDING THE PANT LEG. HE RECEIVED 3 SUTURES INT HE CUT, AND WAS RELEASED TO FULL DUTY THAT DAY.

March 8, 2002 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Accident type, without injuries

SOMETIME BETWEEN 3/8 AND 3/11 A FALL OF GROUND ABOVE BOLT ANCHORAGE OCCURRED IN THE INTERSECTION AT THE ENTRANCE TO 2575 STOPE. IT MEASURES ~20' L X 10' W X 8' H. THE SUPPORT CONSISTED OF 7' S PLIT SETS & MATS IN COMBINATION WITH 17' L GROUTED REBAR BOLTS. THE REBAR BOLTS BROKE UNDER THE DEAD WEIGHT OF A WEDGE-SHAPED STRUCTURE THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO MINING ACTIVITY

2001 · 8 incidents

December 20, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Fall from machine

THE EE WAS ENTERING THE CAB OF AN UG HAUL TRUCK AT THE START OF SHIFT. HIS HAND SLIPPED OFF AN ICY HANDHOLD ON THE TRUCK WHEN HE HAD ONE FOOT IN THE CAB AND ONE FOOT IN MID-AIR. HE FELL BACK WARD ON THE GROUND AND BRUISED HIS RIBCAGE RESULTING IN 2 DAYS OF RESTRICTED DUTY.

December 15, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal stoper miner SLIP OR FALL OF PERSON
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Fall from machine

EE WAS INSTALLING PIPE FROM THE WORKDECK OF A SCISSORLIFT WHEN A STABILIZER JACK SANK INTO SOFT MUCK CAUSING SCISSORLIFT TO TIP OVER AGAINST THERIB AND THROW HIM ONTO THE GROUND FROM A HEIGHT OF 8'. HE DID NOT REPORT THE INCIDENT UNTIL HE WAS ASKED AND DID NOT VISIT THE DOCTOR UNTIL 2/1/02. HE RECEIVED A CORTISONE INJECTION INTO AN INJURED SHOULDER. WAS NOT A FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT.

November 11, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Absorption of radiations, caustics, toxic and noxious substances

THE EMPLOYEE WAS CLEANING COMPONENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND BATCH PLANT (USED FOR MAKING CEMENTED ROCK) HE SAT ON SOME DRIED CEMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND LATER DROVE A HAUL TRUCK, WHICH PROBABL Y RUBBED THE CEMENT INTO HIS BUTTOCKS. HE USED STERILE WATER TO WASH HIS BUTT UNDERGROUND, BUT DID NOT CHANGE HIS CLOTHES UNTIL THE END OF THE SHIFT. ON RESTRICTED WORK.

October 19, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal FALL OF ROOF OR BACK
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Accident type, without injuries

WHILE BACKFILLING 2535 SAD STOPE, A MINER HEARING ROCK FALL, THE SUPERVISOR RESPONDED AND SAW AND HEARD A FALL OF GROUND, THE EXTENT TO WHICH HE DID NOT INVESTIGATE. HE BARRICADED THE ENTRAN CE AND ON 10-22-01 WE INVESTIGATED AND OBSERVED A FALL OF GROUND AT OR ABOVE THE ANCHORAGE OF 7 FT SPLIT SETS IN THE BACK. ESTIMATED ABOUT 500 TONS, ABOUT 50 TONS FELL IN AN AREA BY PERSONNEL.

October 9, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec STEPPING OR KNEELING ON OBJECT
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Struck against stationary object

THE MINER WAS HANGING VENT BAG WHILE WORKING ON THE DECK OF THE SCISSOR LIFT. HE STEPPED ON A PIECE OF #9 WIRE THAT WAS ON THE DECK. THE WIRE PIERCED THE SOLE OF HIS BOOT AND PUNCTURED HIS FOO T.

June 6, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal electrician, lineman HANDLING OF MATERIALS
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Over-exertion in lifting objects

THE EE LIFTED A 76 LB. WEIGHT BEING USED TO CALIBERATE SCALES AT AN UNDERGROUND BATCH PLANT WHEN HE FELT A PAIN IN HIS BACK. HE VISITED A CHIROPRACTOR AND RECEIVED CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT. HE W AS RELEASED TO FULL DUTY. HE DIDN'T SEE THE CHIROPRACTOR UNTIL JUNE 8, 2001.

May 17, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal miner, nec HANDTOOLS (NONPOWERED)
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Over-exertion (Not Elsewhere Classified)

THE EE WAS USING BOLT CUTTERS TO CUT A PIECE OF CHAIN FROM AN AWKWARD POSITION. HE BRACED ONE HANDLE OF THE BOLT CUTTERS AGAINST HIS CHEST AND PULLED THE OTHER HANDLE TOWARDS HIM. HE FELT A "P OP" IN HIS CHEST AREA. THE DR. DIAGNOSED A SOFT TISSUE INJURY IN HIS CHEST AREA AND PLACED HIM ON RESTRICTED DUTY WITH A FOLLOWUP APPT. ON 6-1-01.

April 29, 2001 WA · Metal/Non-Metal laborer, bull gang, faceman, parts runner, roustabout, roof trimmer/scaler POWERED HAULAGE
Echo Bay Minerals Company · Struck against a moving object

THE MINER WAS RIDING AS A PASSENGER IN A TRAMMER. AS THE TRAMMER MADE A TURN, A STEERING HOSE BLEW, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING AND THE TRAMMER STRUCK THE RIB. THE MINER HIT HIS HEAD ON THE COR NER POST OF THE CANOPY SUPPORT OF THE TRAMMER. HE REQUIRED 4 SUTURES TO CLOSE THE WOUND.