China to halt approvals for small coal mines

BEIJING - China's safety watchdog said Monday it will no longer approve new coal mines that do not meet production capacity requirements in 2013 in order to ensure work safety.

High-gas coal mines with an annual production of less than 300,000 tonnes, as well as coal and gas outburst mines with an annual production of less than 450,000 tonnes, will not be approved, the State Administration of Work Safety said.

Last month, the administration put rules into effect that hold coal mine managers accountable for protecting their workers' lives. Managers are required to have proper operation licenses and provide better ventilation.

In 2012, 1,384 people were killed in coal mine accidents, declining from 1,973 in 2011. Most of the accidents occurred in small coal mines.