The male worker was pronounced dead after becoming trapped in the mine after a rock fall.

Another worker at the mine was rushed to hospital and sustained serious injuries.

National Union of Mineworkers secretary Chris Kitchen told The Press the coal mine had recovered since the September tragedy.

“Things seem to be returning to normal, if indeed you can say that,” Kitchen was quoted as saying.

He also told the news service the focus of an investigation into the incident by specialist mine inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive and North Yorkshire Police had shifted from the mine.

“I know the investigation has moved off-site now and some of the roof supports have been sent off for examination,” he told The Press.

“They are the primary means of supporting the roof.”

A spokesman for UK Coal reportedly said a report on the tragedy was expected within six months.

Meanwhile a UK judge has said he will not impose heavy fines on UK Coal following the deaths of four miners back in 2006 and 2007 because the company was struggling financially.

According to the BBC, Justice Alistair MacDuff said it would be in “nobody's interest” to impose harsh penalties on the firm.

Despite safety breaches which resulted in the deaths of four miners in separate incidents, the coal company would be spared the financial penalties because it was reportedly under pressure following the recession.

The BBC reported that UK Coal's solicitor Mark Turner told the court that shares worth 5 pounds five years ago recently traded for 34p.

UK Coal will still be issued fines, however the judge warned they would be lower than what the family members of the victim expected.

UK Coal is Britain's biggest producer of coal, employing 2900 people in central and northern England.

The coal mine has been plagued by a string of incidents in recent years, with a methane gas explosion at the mine last year reportedly forcing 218 miners to evacuate.