Shanxi Province Launches Special Rectification of Coal Mines to Address Safety Concerns
China News Service, Taiyuan, February 9th (Wu Qiong) – The Shanxi Provincial Department of Emergency Management has announced the implementation of a special rectification of the “three excesses” and hidden working faces in coal mines across the province. This decision comes in light of recent concerns regarding safety and compliance in the coal mining industry.
The special rectification will include all coal mines under normal production and construction, as well as suspended coal mines with production conditions. The key areas of focus for the rectification include super-capacity to issue production and operation indicators, coal mine super-capacity production, tight mining continuity, over-capacity organization of production, and layout of hidden working surfaces.
Coal mining enterprises in the province have been instructed to conduct self-inspections and self-reform before the end of February, with the main person in charge of each enterprise personally organizing the implementation and forming lists of hidden problems and rectification responsibilities. The Shanxi Provincial Department of Emergency Management, the Shanxi Bureau of the State Administration of Mine Safety Supervision, and the Shanxi Provincial Energy Bureau will conduct provincial supervision and inspections during this period.
The “Notice” also outlines the consequences for non-compliance, stating that those who make false rectifications or incomplete rectifications when problems are discovered will be ordered to stop production for rectification and be severely punished in accordance with the law. Additionally, coal mines that ignore the law and still arrange new concealed working faces from February 2024 will be ordered to suspend production indefinitely for rectification and will be severely punished.
The announcement emphasizes that those who proactively report and rectify “three excesses” and hidden working face behaviors as required will be given lighter punishment or no punishment in accordance with the law. However, those who ignore safety regulations and continue to operate in violation of the law will face severe consequences, including potential criminal investigation and government shutdown.
With the key inspection period for cities and counties scheduled to take place from March 1st to May 31st, the Shanxi Provincial Department of Emergency Management, the Shanxi Bureau of the State Administration of Mine Safety Supervision, and the Shanxi Provincial Energy Bureau are working to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the special rectification of the “three excesses” and hidden working faces in coal mines. The overall goal is to ensure the safety and compliance of coal mining operations in Shanxi Province.