The government of a northeast China city - Harbin has blown down two mines after two fatal accidents claiming 34 lives, showing its determination to fight unsafe operation in small mines.

The government had revoked all the licenses and permits for the two mines, namely Yuanhua and Chengjin, shut off power, cut telephone lines and dismissed all the employees before blowing down the mines.

A gas explosion at Yuanhua Colliery in Hengshan District of Jixi City killed 26 miners on November 25. Six days later, eight more miners were killed in Chengjin Colliery in the same district.

Earlier this month the head of Hengshan District, Jiang Min, and a deputy head, Dong Enyi, were dismissed from their posts, according to the Jixi Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Investigations showed both the mines had been ordered to halt production for safety checks, but the mine owners violated the orders and started illegal production.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2006)