China shut down 1,355 small coal mines with a total production capacity of 125.19 million tonnes by the end of September as part of efforts to restructure its mining industry, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said Thursday.

The latest figures indicate that the NEA had surpassed its annual target of eliminating 121.67 million tonnes of outdated production capacity this year.

According to the NEA, 1,539 small and dangerous coal mines with 121.67 million tonnes of outdated capacity had to be closed in China this year to meet the country's requirement for preventing deadly accidents and reducing carbon dioxide emissions and pollution.

The energy watchdog also said it would strengthen inspection on small coal mines for the rest of the year and ensure that the mining restructuring plan be completed as scheduled this year.

China has long relied on coal to fuel its rapid economic growth. About three-fourths of its electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations, according to the NEA.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2010)