Central China's Hunan Province will cap the number of its coal mines at 100 before the end of 2021 to ensure the safe operation of the coal industry, local authorities said Tuesday.
All the coal mines with an annual output of 90,000 tonnes and below, and "zombie" coal enterprises with an annual production of less than 300,000 tonnes will be shut down, according to the provincial department of emergency management.
Small coal mines with an annual output under 300,000 tonnes and located in nature reserves, wetland parks and drinking water source protected areas shall also be closed.
Hunan currently has 149 coal mines. The province will also upgrade technology in coal mines to improve capacity.
In March, similar measures were taken by southwest China's Yunnan Province. It vowed to cap the number of its coal mines at 200 to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of people and property.
Editor:Cherie
