More than sad, glassortwo. I am not from a mining family, but live in a former mining area. The power stations were built in or close to the mines and pits to facilitate transportation, often straight from pit to power station on a dedicated rail line. Very eco friendly. Now, as you say, 'Coals to Newcastle' at what cost to the environment, particularly when, with carbon capture, power stations are less polluting.
The really annoying thing though, is that the closure of our own coalfields was based on entirely political considerations. To use another cliche, Thatcher 'took a sledge hammer to crack a nut', destroying whole communities at a stroke. The leaders of the miner's union were not without fault too, putting political objectives before the welfare of their members. One of the worst debacles of the 20th century, whose ripples are still affecting us today.