Wu Yin, deputy director of China's National Energy Bureau, stated on September 16 that China should accelerate the closure of coal mines to achieve its 2010 target for the elimination of backward coal mining capacities.
In 2010, China has planned to close a total of 1,539 small coal mines, aiming to eliminate 121.67 million mt of backward coal mining capacities. By mid-September China had closed 1,259 small coal mines and eliminated 112.96 million mt of backward capacities.
Mr. Wu said that, with the achievement of the mine pit elimination target, 640 million mt of coal resources can be saved, safety problems can be reduced and the environment in areas concerned will be protected. The National Energy Bureau official stated that there have been improvements in coal mine production safety in China, but added that 1,500 small mines still operate without safe production conditions or violate industrial policies. This is not good for domestic coal industry development, he said, adding that such mines should be shut down or reorganized.