By Jim Owen

A government agency recently issued 38 citations to a Grant County copper mine for "hazardous conditions."

Personnel with the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration "began an impact inspection Sept. 23 at Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s Chino Mines Co. mine," the agency reported in a news release.

The release explained that the citations were for "unguarded belt conveyors that exposed miners to potential injury from entanglement; failure to provide handrails down a flight of steps, exposing miners to slip, trip and fall hazards; and failure to barricade a tunnel to prevent injury from ground failure while miners were working and cutting in the area directly above the tunnel."

The inspectors also wrote that "a damaged pressure gauge on an acetylene gas cylinder created a potential fire or explosion hazard, and a wet floor in front of an electrical panel created a potential shock hazard."

According to Freeport spokesman Eric Kinneberg, "all of the issues identified in the inspection ... have been addressed."

In a written statement, he added: "Safety is integral to all of Freeport-McMoRan's operations, and we appreciate the benefits from the MSHA inspections to identify improvements to our work environment. The Chino operations have a strong safety record, particularly in regards to our focus: the prevention of fatalities and serious injuries. We are committed to create an even better safety performance for our employees and contractors."

It was not the first time the mine has been accused of safety violations. Since the beginning of 2014, MSHA has handed down 125 citations (with fines totaling more than $62,000) to the company. Last year, Chino was issued 137 citations and fined $32,829.

Government agencies have cited Freeport's operations in Grant County multiple times over the years, for violations ranging from toxic emissions and leaks to the deaths of birds in tailings ponds.

The Chino Mine, near Hanover, was the site of a workplace accident in early October. One company employee, as well as three contract workers from Hamilton Construction Co., fell ill while performing their duties at the mine's Lampbright stockpile. They were treated and released from Gila Regional Medical Center.

Kinneberg called the incident an "isolated event."

In August 2013, a Chino worker crossing a road within the facility suffered injuries when a company van struck him. He underwent treatment at GRMC and an El Paso hospital.

Workers at the mine no longer have any unions to advocate for, or help enforce, safety protocols. Members of the last union, the United Steelworkers, recently voted to decertify. The unions were, however, in effect, in 2013, when even more citations were issued than this year, so far.

Editor's Note: The union was in effect in 2013, when Chino received even more citations than so far this year.