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Work safety takes aim at illegal and unsafe coal mining operations

China will shut down 4,000 small and unsafe coal mines this year to reduce mining accidents and pollution, State Administration of Work Safety director Li Yizhong said yesterday.

The government closed 2,000 coal mines with an annual output of less than 30,000 tonnes in the first two months of this year and Mr Li said it planned to shut down another 2,000 by the end of the year.

He said the authorities would also crack down on corruption and illegal mining in the coming year in an effort to minimise accidents.

China has suffered some of the worst mining accidents in the world over the past few years.

Thanks to the booming economy and the consequent price increases of mineral resources on international markets, small mine operators have mushroomed across the nation.

But many of the mines are badly managed and lack basic safety measures.

This has resulted in the highest mining death tolls in the world, with thousands of workplace deaths each year.

Mr Li said authorities had closed 8,048 coal mines between 2005 and last month and the mainland was committed to shutting down a total of 10,000 small coal mines in the space of three years.

'The decision to shut down illegal and highly polluting mines is based on our laws and national policy. The central government will strictly enforce these measures,' Mr Li said when asked if the authorities had encountered resistance from local officials when closing the mines.

Mr Li said China would restructure its mining industry by removing small operators and building up big companies.

The authorities were also testing a pilot scheme in eight provinces to impose a surcharge on mining, which Mr Li believed could help improve safety and environmental standards.

'If they [mine operators] have to pay, they will treasure the resources. They will upgrade their production facilities and equipment. That would help improve safety and reduce waste and pollution,' he said.

Last year, more than 7,000 workers were killed in mine blasts, floods and collapses on the mainland.

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