Govt plans more closures of coal mines through 2016

China has stepped up efforts to reduce the number of coal mines, as it plans to shut down more than 2,000 mines next year and limit the number to within 10,000 by 2016.

More than 1,100 coal mines were closed this year to eliminate outdated capacity, according to a report by a top work safety watchdog.

Yang Dongliang, head of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, said that the general situation this year is satisfactory and the number of major workplace accidents has been greatly reduced.