Managers of a coal mine that collapsed, killing 13 miners last month in northwest China have been referred for prosecution, the regional work safety administration announced on Monday.

They included Li Jun, investor and head of the Guangyuan Coal Mine, and Lan Yuxue, deputy head of the mine who is in charge of work safety. It is estimated that the two might face jail terms of up to three years.

The administration has already imposed disciplinary penalties of officials involved in the disaster at the Guangyuan Coal Mine in Fukang City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

It said Li Jun would be banned from management posts at any coal mine for five years starting from the date when his criminal penalty expires.

Tang Jianping, vice mayor of Fukang, would be criticized, and the criticism circulated throughout the city.

Song Yucai, section chief in charge of work safety supervision at the city's coal industry administration, would receive a demerit, and Bai Zhenqiang, head of the city's coal industry administration, would be given a disciplinary warning.

Meanwhile, the Guangyuan Coal Mine would have its production permits revoked and be fined 3 million yuan (US$379,747).

The accident occurred at 3:10 PM on August 13 in the privately-owned mine when 14 miners were working underground. Thirteen died and one was injured.

Preliminary investigations showed the accident may have been caused by a landslide triggered by a ceiling collapse.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2006)