Former Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall says he would never take any decisions that would endanger those with whom he worked.
Mr Whittall has pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges relating to the disaster at the West Coast mine two years ago.
He appeared in the Greymouth District Court on Thursday on charges brought by the former Labour Department under the Health and Safety Act.
They relate to what the department says was Mr Whittall's failure to ensure the safety of the workers in the mine, manage methane explosions and mitigate the risk and impact of an explosion.
Twenty-nine men died after a series of explosions that began on 19 November 2010.
While Mr Whittall would not comment to media in person on Thursday, he did release a statement saying his pleas reflect the fact he does not accept the validity of any of the allegations made against him by the department.
Mr Whittall has been excused from attending the beginning of his status hearing on 14 March 2013 and has been remanded at large until then.
He sat in a vehicle outside the court for half an hour before entering the building, where he sat near his legal team in the public gallery of the courtroom. Nearby were family members of those who died in the mine.
Bernie Monk, who lost his son Michael, says Mr Whittall's statement is of little consolation to him.
Valley Longwall International, a company contracted to the mine, has pleaded guilty on three charges related to its failure to ensure the safety of its contracted workers by neglecting to maintain its drill rig.
