Roof bolter Cornelius Yates, 44-year-old, was working about 900ft into the mine near Pikeville when a large rock fell from the mine roof and killed him on Tuesday.
Rescue workers entered the mine shortly after the accident and Yates was pronounced dead at 6pm.
Yates was installing roof bolts when the roof fell. The rock was reportedly about 20ft wide, 4.5ft high and 10ft long, and effectively blocked the passageway, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
It was believed Yates had communicated with mine personnel immediately after the fall.
The mine has received 114 citations since November 2004, the Herald said. In November last year, the mine received a violation requiring protection against falls from the mine roof, sides and mining area. Regular safety and health inspections were carried out according to records but no violations were issued in the most recent inspection of the mine.
