THE manager of the Gleision mine has appeared in court for the first time since being charged in relation to the disaster, which claimed four lives.
Malcolm Fyfield, 57, of Caerhenllys, Cwmllynfell, faces four counts of gross negligence manslaughter. He appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court.
The company which owns the colliery and had employed him, MNS Mining Ltd, was also summonsed to court facing four counts of corporate manslaughter.
Two directors from that company, Maria Seage and Gerald Ward, also appeared in court.
The company was represented by Prashant Popat QC.
Philip Hill, 44, Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, and 39-year-old Garry Jenkins became trapped when water engulfed the Gleision mine they were working in just after 9am on Thursday, September 15, 2011.
District Judge Bodfan Jenkins said: "You all understand these are matters that can only be dealt with at the Crown Court. I therefore send them there for the first hearing on February 11. If that date changes, you will be notified."
Fyfield was given conditional bail until February 11. The next hearing will take place at Swansea Crown Court.
Seven miners had been working in the mine before the incident.
Three, including Fyfield, survived.
More than 200 rescuers, including specialist diving teams, worked to search for the men after the alarm was raised by one of the surviving miners.
Immediately after the tragedy, an appeal was launched to help support the miners' families and more than £1 million was raised, £20,000 was donated on the first day alone.
On the first anniversary, commemorative events were held by the men's family and friends at both the mine's entrance and in the local area.
