By Russell Hubbard

Garry Neil Drummond plans to testify at the upcoming trial of his coal mining company over the death of union activists in Colombia, according to court records.

The president of family-owned Drummond Co. is listed as a primary witness by lawyers for the firm in papers recently filed with U.S. District Court in Birmingham. He is listed as an optional witness by lawyers for the families and labor union of three men slain in 2001 in Colombia, where Birmingham-based Drummond Co. operates a vast surface coal mine.

The families and the union contend in their federal lawsuit Drummond Co. paid an armed group to kill the labor leaders. Drummond Co. has vigorously denied any involvement with armed groups.

Mike Tracy, Drummond Co.'s top executive in Alabama, is also listed as a primary witness for his company, and as an optional witness by the union lawyers.

The case is set for trial July 9 before U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre.