Jim,employment in the coal industry declined from 1 million in 1908 to 6,000 today. To blame Thatcher for the demise of uk coal mining is a bit of a gross simplification. Cheaper sources of energy were coming to the fore, as were cheaper imports. Coal mining is also the most dangerous industry, apart from the long term health risks such as silicosis. Some would also argue the unions were attempting to usurp the role of government and no government will tolerate that. To say Thatcher could have done more to help mining communities is a fair criticism but to say she killed the mining industry is simply not true..