South Yorkshire's 'King Coal' dies
Richard Budge, aged 69, who ran Doncaster-based RJB Mining, bought 17 deep mines, 30 surface mines, over 400 million tonnes of reserves and nearly 50,000 acres of land for £815 million in the 1990s.
His firm became the biggest independently owned coal production business in Europe.
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Hide AdHe invested his energies and much of his personal wealth in securing a future for Hatfield colliery, near Doncaster, which had substantial reserves.
He was the driving force behind the foundation of the Confederation of UK Coal Producers, a campaign group which for the first time gave independent producers a voice in the corridors of power.
Mr Budge was a father of two, with five Grant grandchildren.
He died following a nine-year battle with prostate cancer on Monday, July 18 at a hospice in Retford.