MOJAVE, Calif., On December 13, 2023, at 9:13 p.m. Kern County firefighters were dispatched to the Golden Queen Mining Facility for a report of conveyor belts on fire. As Mojave Engine 14 arrived on scene, the firefighters were faced with a 6 story tall conveyor belt system fully involved with fire. The rubbers, oils, hydraulic fluid and flammable parts of the machinery were engulfed in flame. Un-contained, the fire ran down the conveyor belts, threatening to further spread to connected sections of this giant machine. Speaking with an on site safety representative, it was determined that all workers were accounted for and safe. The Company Officer directed a multi-faceted attack on the blaze. Firefighters immediately pulled hoselines and started containing the belt fires from spreading further down the system. Meanwhile, a large master stream from the fire engine’s deck gun was aimed 6 stories up, holding the fire on the upper level at bay. Fire crews utilized water from the facility’s fire water supply. As the main body of fire was knocked down, crews took a hoseline to the top of the burning conveyor. From this vantage they were able to cool heat deep within the system. KCFD crews remained on scene to confirm complete fire extinguishment. 

Golden Queen personnel stated that while they had suffered 2 million dollars worth of fire damage, the decisive actions of the firefighters saved an astounding 130 million dollars worth of property. 

No injuries were reported at this incident. The cause of the fire as stated by the facility safety representative is due to welding.