Coal has been a key player in the industrialised world. Indeed, it helped pave the way for the industrial revolution.

However, as the world struggles to deal with the issues of climate change coal has become a much-maligned product.

It is this inflexion point that led to the selection of one of this year's two Mining Figure(s) of the Year.

This one is a coal man through and through and has been at the forefront of mining innovation.

To find out who it is, see the December edition of AMM.