November 22, 2008

China orders coal mines to increase production for quake relief

Thomson Financial reported that some quake hit areas in China were running low on supplies of coal, and authorities have urged coal producing provinces to step up output to help fill the gap.

Xinhua news agency said an emergency circular of the State Council also called on the provinces to hasten the resumption of work at small coal mines that had been suspended from operating to fix safety problems.

The agency said China's coal industry has been under stress due to coal shortages this year, a situation worsened by the May 12 quake, which struck in the southwest and damaged a 'considerable' number of hydropower stations.

The circular said the coal will fuel thermal power stations in the quake zone.