The Economic and Information Committee of China's Anhui Province has announced that by the end of 2015 the cities of Tongling, Anqing, Wuhu and Maanshan in the province will all cease coal mining.
The committee stated that the provincial government in Anhui plans to close down coal mines with annual production capacities of 90,000 mt and below during China's 12th five-year plan period (2011-15). By 2015, in Anhui Province only coal mines in Huainan, Huaibei and Suzhou with annual production capacities of over 300,000 mt will continue to operate. It is estimated that in 2012 total coal production in Anhui Province will reach 140 million mt.