During the coming 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-2005), China
will invest heavily in technological innovation for coal mining
nationwide to ensure safe coal production and raise the ability
to ward off accidents, as is known from the National Conference
on Coal Mine Safety Supervision called Wednesday in Beijing.
Many coal mines
in China, though much improved in safety, are still venerable
to accidents for lack of funds, said Zhang Baoming, director
with the State Bureau for Supervising Coal Mine Safety. He
added that from now on coal enterprises must draw technological
funds according to law, and by no means should the funds be
misappropriated.
In the coming five
years China are reported to inject a total of 768 million
yuan into 149 technological projects for improved coal production,
559m from state subsidies and 209m to be raised by enterprises
on their own. In 2001, the priority will be given to 63 key
mines in 19 provinces, including Heilongjiang and Shanxi,
especially those suffering from heavy coal dust and gas, and
reforms shall be first carried out on systems of ventilation,
gas monitoring, gas evacuation and lifesaving, ventilation
in particular.
(People's Daily
12/21/2000)
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