Beijing halts coal mines ahead of transition

Chinese inspectors are shutting down smaller coal mines to prevent accidents ahead of the national leadership transition that begins next week, Bloomberg reported. Chinese regulators dispatched safety inspectors to oversee the suspensions and find safety hazards, according to an October 24 statement on the State Administration of Work Safety website. Datuhe (Shanxi) Coking & Chemical and Yongning Coal have both had operations suspended, according to anonymous sources. All non-state-owned mines could be subject to closures. Mines in Shaanxi, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia provinces are likely to be affected as they account for 60% of the nation’s coal production. The government has introduced other measures in Beijing to preserve stability ahead of the transition, including restrictions on bird enthusiasts releasing pigeons, the purchase of toy helicopters and the sale of sharp instruments.