Coal news and updates

Shanxi passes reform plan on simplifying coal mine project approval

The provincial government of coal-rich Shanxi announced that it has passed a reform plan on simplifying the administrative procedure for approving coal mine projects on August 21 after public review.

Only 38 administrative approval processes will be kept, compared with the previous 63 items, according to the plan.

Under the plan, legal coal mines will only need to apply for three certificates including the Mining License, Coal Safe Production License and Business License.

Previously, mines had to apply for another three certificates including Mine Production License, Mine Director Qualification Certificate and mine director's Security Certificate.

The provincial government will delegate the approval power for site selection for new mines with annual capacity below 1.2 million tonnes to municipal governments or pilot county-level governments.

Shanxi will stop approving reconstruction project that changes underground mines with yearly capacity below 5 million tonnes into open-pit coal mines by 2020.

During the same period, new coal mine projects in the province will not be approved, with those to substitute large mines for small mines and  replace more outdated capacity being the exceptions.

source: http://en.sxcoal.com