HUNTINGTON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - As we continue to wait for news of the six miners trapped in the Crandall Canyon Mine, one voice is rising above the rubble - that of the mine's owner, Robert Murray. He is the founder and spokesman for Murray Energy Corp., the company that runs the mine.
Robert Murray is often called the "King of Coal." He's a 4th generation, Ohio coal miner who holds an engineering degree from Ohio State University and a business degree from Harvard. Murray is the Chairman of the country's 12th largest coal company which owns mines in five states and employs 3,300 people six of whom are trapped deep beneath the earth in Utah.
At a news conference Tuesday, when everyone wanted information about the fate of six trapped miners, Robert Murray began by talking business. "We produce the product that is essential to the standard of living of every American," explained Murray.
After the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse early Monday, Murray emphatically stated, "Let me tell you something else, this is the first major accident I've had in one of my coal mines."
But according to several media sources, in 1997, one miner died following an accident at the very same mine.
Since 2004, the Labor Department has cited Murray's Utah mine 324 times. 107 of the violations are serious.
Relative to similar mines however, the Government says the company has a better-than-average safety record.
Still Murray Energy citations were the subject of recent criticism on Capitol Hill. Senator Barbara Boxer, (D) California said, "You have the biggest fines against you of any other miner in Ohio."
To which Murray replied, "Madame Chairman, I'm not going to respond to that. You're flat-out wrong."
The outspoken CEO has also argued for less government regulation on coal mining, saying concerns of global warming are global goofiness. "Every bill that's been introduced to address it is going to destroy manufacturing jobs in America," said Murray.
Murray's passion can sometimes be confused with anger. When asked Wednesday if he still believes this week's collapse was caused by an earthquake, he said yes, but, "I am focused on the families and rescue effort and I will make no more comments on that subject because it makes no difference what-so-ever."
Murray says his only concern right now is the welfare of the six trapped miners and their families.
Wednesday Murray put his own mining experience to use; he joined the rescue teams underground to work on the rescue efforts. He also has personal experience with mining accidents - he has survived two.
Murray lives in Ohio with his wife of 44 years. He has three grown children and one daughter who is deceased.
