SteelOrbis Shanghai
The Chinese State Council has decided to carry through pilot measures for the sustainable development of the coal industry in Shanxi Province, Xinhua News has reported.
In line with this pilot reform, the government has issued measures for the imposition of charges which will be placed in a fund for the sustainable development of the coal industry in Shanxi. The standard charge imposed will differ according to the varieties of coal. The details of the new charges are as follows:
Steam coal: RMB 5-15/mt ($0.6-1.9);
Anthracite: RMB 10-20/mt ($1.3-2.6);
Coking coal: RMB 15-20/mt ($1.9-2.6).
The standard charge imposed per ton of coal in 2007 is RMB 14 ($1.8) for steam coal, RMB 18 ($2.3) for anthracite, and RMB 20 ($2.6) for coking coal. In the future, the relevant authorities in Shanxi will make adjustments every year to this standard charge in consideration of the varieties of coal in question, their quality, and the market situation.
In addition, a charge of RMB 10/mt ($1.3) for the restoration of the ecological environment in the mine area will be levied on all coal producers in Shanxi. Also, RMB 5/mt ($0.6) is to be charged for the conversion and development of mines.
The Chinese government has decided to implement these pilot measures for the sustainable development of the coal industry first in Shanxi Province. Later, following the experience acquired in Shanxi, the measures are to be generalized to the whole of the country. It is thereby hoped to push China’s coal industry along the path of sustainable development, improving efficiency, energy-saving and environmental protection.