Reckless mining company kills worker, but no fine

Mine worker protests ASARCO in 2005.

TUCSON -- Mine electrician Peter Eudave, 41, was killed August 15 at ASARCO corporation's Ray Mine near Kearney AZ, bringing the total to at least seven mining-related deaths in Arizona since 2004.

A federal investigation into the death found inadequate ASARCO management policies resulted in the accident, says the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

But despite the death of Mr. Eudave, the citation was lifted by the feds after mine electricians received training. No fines were levied.

Such lax enforcement is part of why big corporations continue to cut corners and more workers are injured or killed on the job.

Eudave, a native of Superior, had worked at the Ray Mine -- about 70 miles north of Tucson -- for 14 years, said Celestino Flores, president of United Steelworkers Local 915.

Flores said miners and other workers held fundraisers and pooled their money to help the family with funeral costs.

"He was a hard worker," Flores said. "Such a good guy."

An investigation by Arizona State Mine Inspector Joe Hart's office has been completed, but the findings are still under internal review, and therefore publicly unknown at this time.

- some info from ADS