Coal magnate Bob Murray dies

Bob Murray, long-time coal entrepreneur and magnate, died yesterday due to complications related to pulmonary fibrosis.

Murray, aged 80, died at his St Clairsville, Ohio, home, according to Murray's attorney Michael Shaheen of the Shaheen Law Group. He was diagnosed in July 2016 with the disease, a scarring in the lungs associated with pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease, and caused by inhaling coal dust.

Murray died just a week after announcing his retirement as chairman of the newly-formed American Consolidated Natural Resources' (ACNR) board of directors. That was about a month after the company he founded, Murray Energy, emerged from Chapter 11 protection.

"I would like to express my condolences to the family of Bob Murray," said chief executive of Alliance Resource Partner, Joe Craft. "A giant in the coal industry...Bob has touched the lives of everyone associated with the coal industry, for more than 40 years. His importance to our country cannot be overstated."

"[I am] Saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Murray," said senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia). "He was a staunch ally for coal miners, a good friend, and a one of a kind person.

"Bob Murray was a force in the mining industry whose dedication to coal was unrivaled. All who knew him would agree - there was no one more passionate about the importance and value of coal, and the absence of his voice will be felt by many," said Rich Nolan, president and chief executive of the National Mining Association.

Murray was a vocal critic of former president Barack Obama's administration, often tying rules implemented under Obama to the downturn in the coal industry. And he called President Donald Trump's election a "great day for America."

Murray began his mining career at the North American Coal Corporation, where he became the chief executive in 1983. He started Murray Energy in 1988 when he bought the Ohio Valley Coal Company's Powhatan No. 6 mine in Alledonia, Ohio, and over time added enough properties to turn it into largest privately-owned coal mining company in the US.

By Calder Jett