China will raise the threshold on new coal mines and halt approvals for those that do not meet specified requirements in its efforts to regulate the sector, authorities said Thursday.
New coal mines with an annual output of below 300,000 tonnes and coal-gas outburst collieries with output of below 900,000 tonnes will no longer gain approval, Xinhua reported, citing a General Office of the State Council circular.
Due to falling demand, severe overcapacity and restructuring towards cleaner fuel, the coal industry has been stuck in protracted bickering since last year.
Thursday's circular also promised to ease tax burdens on coal producers, strengthen quality checks on imports and improve the exit mechanism to allow swift closure of exhausted mines.