The first phase of the network will be completed before National Day on October 1.

According to a construction plan mapped out by the Shanxi provincial government, the information network, expected to be completed by the end of 2004, will cover all coal mines in the province and stand as a major information conduit between industrial production safety authorities and mine management.

The functions of the network will include reporting hidden dangers, setting off accident alarms, conducting safety surveillance, distributing information and providing online safety training.

Shanxi has many coal mines, which are a major source of industrial accidents due to poor production safety facilities there.

Money has been allocated by the province for the network. Analysts believed that the move would help rectify the local coal mine industry and improve safety.

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2003)