Coal mines which engage in illegal operation and have fatal accidents in Henan, a leading coal producer in central China, will be fined 1 million yuan (US$123,456) for causing each death, according to a stipulation announced on Tuesday.

In addition, coal mines found to engage in production without required operation licenses will be fined between 2 million yuan (US$246,913) and 5 million yuan (US$617,283), and forced to close, according to the new rule.

The stipulation came in the wake of a deadly coal mine flooding which left 42 miners missing on Friday in Xin'an County of Henan Province.

The tragedy took place last Friday at Sigou Coal Mine, a privately-run firm, when 76 miners were working underground. Only 34 miners escaped the flooding.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2005)