Former coal magnate Robert Murray, who long fought mine regulators, dies at 80 — possibly from black lung

Bob Murray

Former coal baron Robert Murray, who spent most of his career fighting against federal mine-safety regulations that could reduce black-lung disease, died this weekend, possibly from black lung.

Murray, 80, was the former CEO, president and board chairman of the now-bankrupt Murray Energy, the largest privately owned U.S. coal company. According to an attorney, he died at his Ohio home on Sunday morning, The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register reports. 

His death came less than a week after he announced his retirement. No official cause of death was released, but Murray had recently applied for black-lung benefits with the Department of Labor, and was heavily dependent on supplemental oxygen, The Associated Press reports.