Peter Whittall appeared at Greymouth District Court to face the charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act brought by the Department of Labour (now the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment).
They relate to his actions regarding safety at the mine, including methane explosion management, strata management, ventilation management, and mitigating the risk and impact of an explosion.
Twenty-nine men died in the explosions.
Whittall last appeared in July, when he was warned by the judge that if he didn't enter a plea today he would need to have exceptional reason.
Also today in Greymouth there will be an open court hearing of the Department of Labour's request for leave to file victim impact statements in the case against Valley Longwall International Drilling Pty.
Tomorrow Valley Longwall will be sentenced on three charges which it has pleaded guilty to.
