UK Coal

The story of UK Coal isn't one of a typical startup, but of the privatization of a titan. Its origins trace back to 1974 with Richard J. Budge's RJB Mining. The company's defining moment came in 1994 when it acquired the core operations of the recently privatized British Coal, a state-owned entity that had managed the industry for decades. This move instantly made RJB Mining the dominant force in the UK's coal scene. In 2001, following Budge's retirement, the company rebranded as UK Coal plc, cementing its identity as the nation's primary coal producer and becoming a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The business wasn't just about mining; it held a substantial property portfolio and ventured into renewable energy through wind farms and mine gas recovery. However, the company faced immense pressures. A massive fire at its Daw Mill colliery in 2013 was a devastating blow, leading to significant financial losses. This event, coupled with a £450 million pension deficit, pushed the company into a major restructuring. The business was split, with the mining operations separated from the property division, Harworth Estates. Ultimately, UK Coal's mining operations entered administration. The company's last deep mines, Kellingley and Thoresby, closed in December 2015, marking the end of deep coal mining in Britain and the final chapter for UK Coal.