中文
China's state safety watchdog urged coal mines to step up efforts to prevent mining risks from gas explosion and water leaks, a day after a deadly accident in southwest China.
On March 20, the National Mine Safety Administration (NMSA) issued two emergency circulars, ordering all coal-producing governments and energy management authorities to step up measures to prevent major accidents.
It came one day after a coal and gas outburst accident in Guizhou province, which killed six people.
"So far this year, there have been four coal and gas outbursts and 48 accidents involving excessive gas concentrations, leaving an extremely serious gas control situation," one notice said.
According to the notice, the NMSA asked heads, chief engineers and manages in relevant departments at coal mines to implement their responsibilities well. They will be held accountable if an accident occurs.
Actions such as fabricating data and parameters to deal with superior inspections will be severely cracked down, and those involved will be sent to the police.
The document also authorizes miners to evacuate at the first sign of gas leak, without needing permission. Those trying to intervene with their escape will be held accountable.
In another circular, the NMSA listed 10 measures to prevent the flooding accidents, including staffing professionals to regularly inspect hazards and organizing at least one evacuation drill before the flooding season.
China has experienced three major flooding accidents and seven minor ones since 2020, leading to 82 deaths in total, it said.
The most recent major coal mine accident occurred in late February in northern China's Inner Mongolia, killing six people and leaving 47 others missing.
Although China's coal mines are known as among the world's deadliest, accidents and fatalities have been steadily declining in the decade to 2021 after the country shut down excess mining capacity and increased safety inspections.
In 2022, however, there were 168 accidents of varying degrees of severity, data from the NMSA shows, surging from 91 the year before.
China has been calling for increased domestic coal production since late 2021 to secure energy supplies. Too much haste to produce often leads to unsafe practices. In addition, wrongdoing and a lack of oversight and preventive measures are key causes of fatal accidents in the industry.
"We must severely crack down on all kinds of violation of laws and regulations, giving them punishment or shutting them down to correct the problems," an official of Inner Mongolia said after the mine accident happened.
(Writing by Alex Guo Editing by Emma Yang)
For any questions, please contact us by inquiry@fwenergy.com or +86-351-7219322.
