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China shuts down 1,355 coal mines in first nine months

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) mk.mt KUNA 151310 Oct 10NNNN