The richest is in fact Hans Mende, who owns 50% of Americas...

The richest is in fact Hans Mende, who owns 50% of Americas largest thermal coal exporter and other assets.

Anyway, this coal downturn will end and surprisingly it looks like starting in the UK with two new coal floats: Coal mining floats set to fire up investor interest - Proactiveinvestors (UK)
http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/58169/coal-mining-floats-set-to-fire-up-investor-interest--58169.html

The present board, excluding one or two, were directors of Felix Resources FLX (previously Auiron Energy). The share was 35c in 2003 rising to $23.30 in 2008. Then fell to $4.80 and taken over in late 2009 for $18.05 by Yanzhou Coal. If they existed as FLX today the price would be about $3.00 or lower.

Such is the cyclical nature of the coal sector.