Safety improving as coal mines slow production

The number of accidents and deaths reported by Chinese coal mines has declined dramatically, as safety improves and the industry downsizes in recognition that it has been oversupplying the market, new data has showed.

Four major accidents and 66 deaths were registered in the first 11 months of 2015, down 69 percent and 68 percent from the same period last year, a senior official with the country's top economic planner said Thursday.

Drops in coal production eased oversupply and helped make conditions in mines safer, said Lian Weiliang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

However, China still has 225 coal mines that inspectors found to pose major safety concerns, Lian added.

The coal sector reported a 62-percent year-on-year drop in profits in the first 10 months. Lian called for more industrial reforms such as mergers and acquisitions, development of clean energy and cooperation with power producers to achieve sustainable growth. Endi