LOC13:10
10:10 GMT
TOKYO, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- China shut down 1,355 small coal mines by the end
of September as part of efforts to restructure its mining industry, the
country's official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the National Energy
Administration (NEA).
According to the NEA, 1,539 small and dangerous coal mines have to be
closed in China this year to meet the country's requirement for preventing
deadly accidents and reducing carbon dioxide emissions and pollution, said
Xinhua.
The energy watchdog will strengthen inspection on small coal mines for the
rest of the year and ensure that the mining restructuring plan be completed as
scheduled this year, it said. China has long relied on coal to fuel its
rapid economic growth, with about 75 percent of its electricity is generated
from coal-fired power stations.
Although work safety situations in China have improved, mine disasters
continue to kill people by the thousands each year. Last year, 2,631 people
were killed in 1,616 coal mine accidents, according to China's State
Administration of Coal Mine Safety. This means accidents killed 7.2 coal
miners a day. (end)
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KUNA 151310 Oct 10NNNN