China to Invest Heavily for Safe Coal MiningDuring the coming 10th Five-Year Plan period 2001-2005, China will invest heavily in technological innovation for coal mining nationwide to ensure safe coal production and raise the ability to ward off accidents, as is known from the National Conference on Coal Mine Safety Supervision called Wednesday in Beijing.Many coal mines in China, though much improved in safety, are still venerable to accidents for lack of funds, said Zhang Baoming, director with the State Bureau for Supervising Coal Mine Safety. He added that from now on coal enterprises must draw technological funds according to law, and by no means should the funds be misappropriated. In the coming five years China are reported to inject a total of RMB$768m yuan into 149 technological projects for improved coal production, 559m from state subsidies and 209m to be raised by enterprises on their own. In 2001, the priority will be given to 63 key mines in 19 provinces, including Heilongjiang and Shanxi, especially those suffering from heavy coal dust and gas, and reforms shall be first carried out on systems of ventilation, gas monitoring, gas evacuation and lifesaving, ventilation in particular. By PD Online Staff Li Heng |
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