Mar. 6, 2007 (China Knowledge) – China plans to shut down 4,000 inefficient and dangerous coal mines with combined annual capacity of about 100 million tons this year, the head of the State Administration of Work Safety said on Monday.

Li Yizhong, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of China's national parliament meeting, said half of this year's closure goal – or 2,000 mines with minimum capacity of about 30,000 tons per year – have already been closed. More mines that are dangerous and producing pollution will be shut down, said Li.

Li’s remarks came after Premier Wen said that coal production facilities with total capacity of 110 million tons have been closed in 2006.

China’s mining industry is renowned as the world’s most deadly, with frequent fatal accidents. According to Reuters, officials acknowledge that safety regulations are often ignored by mine owners and production is pushed beyond safe limits in the rush for profits.

To address the problem, China has sought to close dangerous and polluting mines, but many have reopened and are operating illegally to fuel China's soaring energy demand.