Aug. 22--Federal and state inspectors are investigating the electrocution of a worker at Tucson-based Asarco's Ray Mine, near Kearny, last week.

Electrical apprentice Peter Eudave, 41, was adjusting a light fixture on the outskirts of the copper pit when he was killed last Friday, according to a preliminary incident report prepared by inspectors with the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The federal agency's investigation is independent of an investigation by the office of the Arizona Mine Inspector, said Tim Evans, assistant mine inspector.

He said both agencies would issue reports on the accident.

The area of the mine where the accident occurred was closed immediately. Information on the incident was released Thursday after officials were contacted by the media.

On Thursday, federal inspectors allowed Asarco to resume operations at the site, said Amy Louviere, a spokeswoman for the federal agency. The state already had lifted its closure order, Evans said.

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, the federal report said. He received a fatal electric shock, it said.

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.

In a statement, Asarco said the company was cooperating fully with the investigation.

"Our hearts go out to family members, friends and associates of our employees who suffered this tragic accident," the statement said.

Flores said miners and other workers have held fundraisers and pooled their money to help the family with funeral costs. Eudave's funeral is today.

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

Mining fatalities

Seven fatalities have occurred at Arizona mining sites in the past five years.

--2004: Asarco's copper smelter in Hayden.

--2005: Matthewsville Excavating sand and gravel mine in Thatcher.

--2006: Rinker Materials Inc. sand and gravel mine in Phoenix.

--2007: BHP-Billiton's Pinto Valley copper mine; Freeport-McMoRan's Safford copper mine; Resolution Copper Mining exploration drilling in Superior.

--2008: Asarco's Ray copper mine in Kearny.

Source: Arizona state mine inspector

--Contact reporter Gabriela Rico at 573-4232 or grico@azstarnet.com.

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