China to close 6,000 coal mines in safety push

China has promised to close 6,000 collieries over the next two years as it battles to improve safety in the world's deadliest mines. More than a third of the country's coal pits would shut by the end of 2010, said the vice-premier, Zhang Dejiang. The closures would leave China with fewer than 10,000 coalmines. The country is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, from which it derives about 70% of its energy. A safety drive has cut deaths by almost a fifth since 2005, on average more than 10 people died each day last year in mining incidents such as flooded shafts and collapses. The true death toll, including mining-related illnesses, is believed to be much higher. Last month China shut power plants and rationed electricity due to coal shortages.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/19/china-coal