According to local newspaper the Herald-Leader, Bryant Massingale admitted in a Kentucky courtroom to his actions in June 2011 while working as a second-shift foreman at Manalapan Mining's P-1 mine near Pathfork.

Massingale as well as operations manager Jefferson Davis and Superintendent Joseph Miniard and the company itself were charged by a federal grand jury earlier this year because miners were placed under an improperly supported roof.

According to the paper, the acts occurred just weeks prior to the June 30 roof fall fatality of David Partin, 49.

Federal officials have since proposed almost $US600,000 in fines for the mine’s violations relating to the incident.

Manalapan is contesting the citations, the Herald-Leader reported, and the company as well as Davis and Miniard have maintained their innocence.

Massingale is due to be sentenced in January.