China's autonomous Inner Mongolia region has stepped up efforts to eliminate outdated capacities in the local coal industry.
In recent years, Inner Mongolia has seen a rapid growth in raw coal production. In 2009, raw coal output reached 600 million mt in this region, while in 2010 it is expected that the region's output of raw coal will be kept under 700 million mt.
According to the Economy Council of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at least up to the end of 2010 Inner Mongolia will proceed with its program for the elimination of small coal mines with designed annual production capacities not higher than 300,000 mt and also of mines using dated technologies. The program also involves mines which pose risks to safety.