A former coal magnate who fought mining health rules has reportedly filed for federal black lung benefits.

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Robert Murray ran the biggest private coal company in the US for decades and rejected regulations designed to prevent workers from getting the disease.

In his application with the US Department of Labor he says he is now heavily dependent on oxygen and “near death”, according to ABC News.

Mr Murray, 80, is the former CEO and president of now-bankrupt Murray Energy.

“I founded the company and created 8,000 jobs there until the move to end coal use. I am still chairman of the board,” he wrote on a Labor Department obtained by the Ohio Valley ReSource.

“We’re in bankruptcy, and due to my health could not handle the president and CEO job any longer.”

Mr Murray’s claim will now be evaluated by the department to work out