UPDATE: SW Virginia coal company owner, foreman arraigned on federal charges

A coal mine owner and chief foreman have been arraigned in federal court on charges of violating mining regulations.

D&H Mining’s Daniel Tucker and Gerald Ball both waived their right to a speedy trial and were released on bond after hearings held in Abingdon. The two were indicted last month for falsifying documents and not adhering to mine safety laws established to protect miners from black lung at their facilities in Buchanan and Dickenson counties. More pretrial hearings are scheduled for January.