China launches coal safety checks

GLOBAL

After many recent deadly incidents, China has initiated a safety inspection campaign targeting all operating coal mines and coal mining ventures, a statement released by its State Council or cabinet on Tuesday showed.

In 2020, more than 100 coal mining incidents were reported by the world's largest coal producer and coal user. The inspections, which operate from Friday to the end of next year, concentrate on coal mining facilities, risk reduction control for major incidents, and emergency response and rescue capability, the statement indicated. Miners working outside their expected production or authorised capability would also be cracked down by inspectors.National coal mine protection authorities pledged to tighten oversight on local government reviews on coal safety in a statement on Friday.

As strict curbs on coal imports halved October deliveries in China, the recent campaign is projected to place a cap on the expansion of coal production and further tighten the supply of power.

In the first 10 months, China produced 3.13 billion tonnes of coal, up just 0.1 percent from the same period last year, official data reveals. On Tuesday, the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange's most successful thermal coal futures reached a record high of 619 yuan ($94.28) a tonne.