The data show that over the past 70 years, a significant development has taken place in the coal industry in China: increased production and improved structure.
According to Huang Yuzhi, head of the National Coal Mines Safety Directorate, coal production reached 3.68 billion tons in 2018, which is 115 times more than 32 million tons 70 years ago.
According to him, as China increases the efficiency of coal mines and reduces obsolete capacities, the number of coal mines has significantly decreased to 5700 in 2019 compared with 82000 in 1997.
Mining equipment developed rapidly over the years, and automation helped reduce the number of accidents in coal mines.
Coal has been an important energy source that has supported China's industrial growth in recent decades. As the country promotes green development and copes with climate change, authorities have taken initiatives to promote the use of clean energy and reduce excessive dependence on coal.
