A gas explosion Saturday killed at least 20 workers and 17 more were trapped at a coal mine in central China, authorities said
China's State Administration of Work Safety said about 276 workers were underground in the mine in Henan province when the blast occurred.
The effort was part of a larger plan to restructure the mining industry to prevent deadly accidents and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, China's state-run media agency Xinhua reported, citing the National Energy Administration (NEA).
According to the China Mining Association, the goal is to eventually boost the industry.
Small coal mines, which use outdated technology, will be replaced with larger coal mines, increasing capacity.
China is the largest global producer and consumer of coal, comprising 75 percent of China's total energy consumption.
Approximately 11,000 small coal mines are still in operation.
The government has shut down more than 1,000 illegal pits this year as part of efforts to improve safety standards.
The blast happened in the early morning at the Yuzhou pit, which is owned by Pingyu Coal & Electric Co Ltd, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The national work safety agency said 239 miners had managed to reach the surface but that 20 had been found dead and a further 17 were still missing.
Rescue operations are continuing to find the missing men, but an official surnamed Li told the Associated Press news agency it was not clear how far underground they were.
Safety ignored
China is heavily reliant on its mining industry, with coal supplying some 70% of its energy needs. Many of those employed in mines are migrant workers with limited training.
The Chinese government has been attempting to improve conditions in coal mines
The central government has made improving conditions in the country's 25,000 coal mines a priority, and the number of deaths has fallen from nearly 7,000 in 2002 to 2,631 last year.
In April, 115 miners were rescued alive from a flooded mine in Shanxi province after spending more than a week underground.
The National Energy Administration (NEA) closed 1,539 small and dangerous coal mines this year as part of restructuring efforts, said Xinhua.
China Mine blast
No comments:
Post a Comment