China will continue to crack down on illegal coal mining

Image Source: hrreporter.com

Cos-Mag reported that China will carry out "special action" in 2018 to crack down on illegal coal mining to ensure safe mine operations and reduce output capacity. State Administration of Work Safety said in a statement that coal mines who fail to meet safety measures or operational standards will be ordered to close and rectify violations. The statement said that Common violations include employees working longer hours than permitted, oversized mine capacity, and employing too many workers.

The safety watchdog last month reported 219 coal mining accidents in 2017 and 375 fatalities, down nearly 30 % from 2016. Annuals deaths in the coal sector have fallen steadily from a peak of nearly 5,000 in 2003.

Still, the number of accidents and deaths are too high, the safety agency said.

The office of work safety will also carry out inspections to shut so called "zombie" mines and cut excess capacity at mines.

China aims to eliminate all coal mines with a capacity of less than 90,000 tonnes a year to reduce safety risks at coal mines. Some regions have said they plan to raise the threshold to 150,000 tonnes or more.

Source : Cos-Mag