Local authorities accused of 'faltering determination' after spate of fatal accidents
The central government has lambasted local authorities for their lack of determination in shutting illegal and dangerous coal mines, and has ordered them to step up their efforts.
In an 'urgent directive' posted on the National Development and Reform Commission's website on Friday, the state planning agency lashed out at local authorities' resistance to Beijing's plan to close 5,001 unsafe coal mines last year.
'There has been a lack of correct understanding, faltering determination and ineffective measures regarding the task of shutting down and reorganising [illegal coal mines]. They have been shying away from difficulty and resistance,' the directive said.
The central government's drive to reorganise the disaster-prone mining industry was 'seriously lagging behind' because nine provinces, including Hunan , Heilongjiang , Sichuan and Shanxi , had failed to close 30 per cent of the illegal mines reported to the central government, the commission said.
Fujian had not closed a single illegal mine, it added.
The State Council introduced several high-profile initiatives last year to improve the safety of China's notoriously dangerous mining industry. A rule was introduced in August demanding the closure of thousands of small mines in the next three years and local officials were ordered to cut links with mine operators.
