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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 20, 1993                   TAG: 9303200215
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BIG STONE GAP                                LENGTH: Short

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COAL-MINE BOSS ADMITS MINING-LAW VIOLATIONS

A superintendent of a coal mine where a roof collapse killed four workers pleaded guilty to several federal mining law violations including allowing inadequate roof supports to exist.

Garry Williams Sr., superintendent at the J&T Coal Inc. Mine No. 1, faces up to three years in prison and fines totaling $300,000. Sentencing is scheduled for May 25.

Williams pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to charges that he oversaw mining operations in which employees traveled under an unsupported ceiling; that he allowed inadequate supports to exist; and that he failed to follow an approved roof-control plan required by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Three other counts against Williams were dropped after he pleaded guilty.

A federal jury on Thursday also found J&T Coal guilty of six similar counts. - Associated Press

Keywords:
FATALITY

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