TWO EMPLOYEES WERE DRAGGING A PIECE OF 48"" RUBBER MINE BELT, APPROX. 6' LONG, FROM THE SURFACE YARD INTO THE MINE SHOP WHEN ONE EXPERIENCED PAIN IN HIS UPPER BACK BETWEEN THE SHOULDER BLADES. THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT WORSENED OVER THE NEXT CCOUPLE OF WEEKS. HE REPORTED THE INJURY TO HIS SUPERVISOR ON 7/15/02. HE HAD A RUPTURED DISC TO THE THORACIC AREA OF HIS BACK. OFF 7/24/02.