Beijing is to close down at least 1,000 small coal mines before
the end of next year's Olympic Games.
A circular jointly released last week by the Beijing municipal
bureau of land and resources and the public security bureau ordered
all unlicensed coal mines to cease operation immediately, dismantle
their equipment, sack miners and hand in explosives within 15
days.
Owners who turn in themselves to police can have their
punishment lessened or exempted, said the circular.
Illegal coal mine owners may face imprisonment with those
exploiting more than 50,000 tons of coal looking at sentences of at
least 10 years.
People who provide clues for the police can receive a reward of
1,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan (US$132 to US$1,320).
Beijing is believed to have more than 1,000 small coal mines in
its western Fangshan and Mentougou districts.
Small coal mines account for two thirds of the deaths resulting
from coal mine accidents in China. In 2006, accidents in small coal
mines claimed 3,431 lives.
(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2007)
