An "urgent directive" on the National Development and Reform Commission’s website lashed out at local authorities’ resistance to Beijing’s plan to close 5,001 unsafe coal mines last year. "There has been a faltering determination and ineffective measures regarding shutting down and reorganizing [illegal coal mines]," the directive said. More than 9,000 illegal mines have been closed. Operations at a further 12,990 have been suspended, but they will be allowed to reopen after safety checks. Deaths from mining accidents accounted for 56% of China’s workplace fatalities last year and represent a 46% increase year-on-year.