China province to close 10 mln tonnes of coal capacity in 2020

Southwest China's Guizhou Province plans to phase out 10 million tonnes of outdated coal production capacity by closing 80 coal mines in 2020, local authorities said.

In recent years, the coal-rich province has been promoting the transformation and upgrading of its coal industry by closing small and outdated mines and using more smart machinery, said the provincial energy bureau.

Local authorities have ordered the closure of small coal mines with an annual production capacity of less than 300,000 tonnes as well as larger mines whose production or construction has long been suspended.

The bureau also called for beefing up the utilization of coalbed methane to improve coal mine work safety and increase power generation from green energy.

In recent years, China has been phasing out outdated production capacity in a wide range of sectors, including coal and steel, amid efforts to promote high-quality economic growth.