Other articles by Gabriela Rico:

Casino-resort plan backed Asarco offers $1.1B for cleanupsTucson's Asarco would pay $1.1B to settle environmental claims nationwideWind-farm parts rolling throughFirst Magnus executives are sued for $1 billion Traen subasta de autos clásicos Collector-car auction at the TCC: Gaze longingly or bring fat walletGem-show vendors lament Tucson's lack of flightsO'odham to build largest AZ casino-resort near Glendale Cierran dos populares restaurantes

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs

A federal investigation into the death of a worker at one of Tucson-based Asarco LLC's mines found inadequate management policies resulted in the accident.

Electrical apprentice Peter Eudave, 41, was adjusting a light fixture on the outskirts of the Ray Mine copper pit near Kearny when he was electrocuted Aug. 15. The site of the accident was closed for several days while federal and state officials conducted independent investigations.

In a report made public this week, the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor issued a citation to Asarco because:

"Management policies and controls were inadequate and failed to ensure that the electrical circuit was de-energized, locked-out, tagged, and tested before work was performed on the circuit."

Asarco officials could not be reached for comment Friday.

Eudave was working on a 480-volt floodlight at the tailings booster station when he came into contact with energized electrical wiring that supplies power to the light, according to the federal investigation.

The citation was lifted after all mine electricians received training on lockout and tag procedures. No fines were levied.

A state investigation has been completed, but the findings are still under internal review, said Tim Evans, the state's assistant mine inspector.

Eudave, a native of Superior, had worked at the Ray Mine — about 70 miles north of Tucson — for 14 years.

There have been seven mining-related deaths in Arizona over the past five years.

Asarco, with headquarters at 5285 E. Williams Circle, filed for bankruptcy in 2005.

The company is working with a federal judge in Texas, hoping to emerge from bankruptcy.

The copper producer operates three mines and a smelter in Arizona and a refinery in Amarillo, Texas.

Follow Asarco's bankruptcy case at: www.azstarbiz.com