Small coal mines set to restart operations

China’s government will accelerate its approval process so small-scale miners can restart operations and help ensure the country has sufficient power supplies during the summer, the South China Morning Post reported. More than 10,000 coal mines were shut down this year due to safety concerns and severe snow storms. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) yesterday called on large- and medium-sized coal mines to increase output as it speeds up approvals for small mines. The NDRC also said power plants must maintain sufficient coal stocks to cover a period of at least 15 days over the course of the summer when energy demand is expected to peak. It added that the transport sector must make plans to ship coal supplies.