coal mine industry in china

Reflections on Reflections on Coal Mine Safety in ChinaCoal Mine Safety in China

Tianyu (Helen) HeiTianyu (Helen) HeiShandong Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision Shandong Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision and visiting scholar at Central Queensland Universityand visiting scholar at Central Queensland University

([email protected])([email protected])

Reflections on Reflections on Coal Mine Safety in ChinaCoal Mine Safety in China

My short talk focuses on safe mining. My short talk focuses on safe mining.

It suggests that the safety record of our It suggests that the safety record of our industry is best understood in terms of the industry is best understood in terms of the nature of the Chinese coal resources and the nature of the Chinese coal resources and the structure of the coal industry in China. structure of the coal industry in China.

It argues that increased mechanisation It argues that increased mechanisation underpinned by education and training are underpinned by education and training are key strategies for improving the efficiency key strategies for improving the efficiency and safety of the coal industry in China.and safety of the coal industry in China.

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

The nature of coal resources in ChinaThe nature of coal resources in China

The structure of the coal industry in The structure of the coal industry in China China

Coal mining safetyCoal mining safety

The way ahead – Shandong ProvinceThe way ahead – Shandong Province

The nature of coal resources in ChinaThe nature of coal resources in China

The geology The geology of mining in China is of mining in China is much more like the UK than it is much more like the UK than it is like Australia.like Australia.

The Chinese coal seams are The Chinese coal seams are

relatively deep; there are relatively deep; there are relatively few seams suitable for relatively few seams suitable for longwall mining; longwall mining; and even fewer and even fewer that are suitable that are suitable for open cut.for open cut.

The The naturenature of coal resources in China of coal resources in China China is now the second largest coal China is now the second largest coal

exporter after Australia. exporter after Australia.

China’s coal exports have trebled in the China’s coal exports have trebled in the past three years. past three years.

China exported 108 Mt of coal in 2002 China exported 108 Mt of coal in 2002 mainly to Northeast Asia (i.e. Japan, South mainly to Northeast Asia (i.e. Japan, South Korea and Taipei). Korea and Taipei).

Structure of the Coal Industry in ChinaStructure of the Coal Industry in China

China’s coal industry is structured China’s coal industry is structured across three sectors: across three sectors:

town and village coal minestown and village coal mines state owned local coal mines state owned local coal mines state owned key coal mines state owned key coal mines


6.19

2.23

2.64

7.12

2.63

4.18

8.3

2.94

6.12

2001 2002 2003

town and villagecoalmines

state-ownedlocal coalmines

state-owned keycoalmines

(source: State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2003 )

China Coal Production from 2001 to 2003


There is an ongoing trend of closure of There is an ongoing trend of closure of small collieries. small collieries.

In 1997 there were 82,000 collieries in In 1997 there were 82,000 collieries in China. China.

By the end of 2000 this was reduced to By the end of 2000 this was reduced to 35,000 as a result of the closure of 47,000 35,000 as a result of the closure of 47,000 small collieries resulting in a loss of 350 small collieries resulting in a loss of 350 million tons of production.million tons of production.


Comparison of output from the ten top mines for 2002 and 2003Comparison of output from the ten top mines for 2002 and 2003 Unit: 10MtUnit: 10Mt

Output from the top ten super collieries (all with output above 20Mt) is increasing:

7.38

5.17 5.01

4.014.56

4.07

2.832.37

2.812.46 2.67

2.37 2.651.98

2.552.32 2.27

1.87 2.02 1.99

Shendong Datong Yankuang Huainan Xishan Pingdingshan Pingshuo Kailuan Yangquan Huaibei

2003 2002

(source: State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2003 )


Since about 1998 the management of coal mining Since about 1998 the management of coal mining in China has been decentralised to provincial in China has been decentralised to provincial government. However, the industry remains very government. However, the industry remains very much a government enterprise. much a government enterprise.

The lack of independent safety inspections led, in The lack of independent safety inspections led, in

2000, to the establishment of the State Bureau of 2000, to the establishment of the State Bureau of Work Safety and Supervision (SBWS). Work Safety and Supervision (SBWS).

The SBWS HQ is in Beijing. It has a staff of 160 The SBWS HQ is in Beijing. It has a staff of 160

and operates under the authority of the State and operates under the authority of the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC).Economic and Trade Commission (SETC).


At a national level the SBWS is responsible At a national level the SBWS is responsible for the development of policy and for the development of policy and legislation on work and safety – including legislation on work and safety – including inspections. inspections.

Enforcement of mine safety law is carried Enforcement of mine safety law is carried out at the provincial and municipal level out at the provincial and municipal level by the local Bureau of Coal Mine Safety by the local Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision. These Bureaus report to and Supervision. These Bureaus report to provincial government but take policy and provincial government but take policy and guidance from the SBWS.guidance from the SBWS.


Safety is a continuing problem in the Chinese coal industrySafety is a continuing problem in the Chinese coal industry

643469956732

892 904 981881 1023 1044

46614168

4707

all coal mines state-owened keymines

state-owned localmines

town and villagecoal mines

2003 2002 2001

（ Source: State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2003 ）

Death in China’s Coal Industry from 2001 to 2003


Safety outcomes are best in the Safety outcomes are best in the

more highly automated key coal more highly automated key coal mines and worst in the small town mines and worst in the small town and village coal mines.and village coal mines.


The Mortality Rate in Coal Mining Accidents in China Between 1970-1999(Deaths per Mt)

02468

1012141618

1970 1980 1990 1992 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

State-ownedkey coalmines

State-ownedlocal coalmines

Town andvillage coalmines

(Source: the State Bureau of Coal Industry 1999)


Fatality rates are higher in China’s mechanised Fatality rates are higher in China’s mechanised mines (i.e. state owned key mines) than they are mines (i.e. state owned key mines) than they are in Australian mines.in Australian mines.

Australian mines have about 50 times less Australian mines have about 50 times less fatalities.fatalities.

Coal mining safetyCoal mining safety Summary:Summary: Coal will continue as a key resource in China for many years to Coal will continue as a key resource in China for many years to

come.come. The industry is changing with greater concentration on the best The industry is changing with greater concentration on the best

coal seams that facilitate mechanisation through longwall and coal seams that facilitate mechanisation through longwall and open cut mining.open cut mining.

Nonetheless coal mining of poorer quality seams will continue and Nonetheless coal mining of poorer quality seams will continue and in this sector in particular manual operation will have dominance.in this sector in particular manual operation will have dominance.

At present, China has around 28,000 coal mines of which 25,000 At present, China has around 28,000 coal mines of which 25,000 are small scale mines — town and village coal mines. These are small scale mines — town and village coal mines. These mines have poor working conditions, they are small and backward mines have poor working conditions, they are small and backward - 80% of accidents occur within those small mines.- 80% of accidents occur within those small mines.

The way ahead - ShandongThe way ahead - Shandong ShandongShandong

Shandong Province is located in the east of Shandong Province is located in the east of China; it is China; it is lie lie in in between between Beijing and Shanghai. Shandong Beijing and Shanghai. Shandong province is the birth province is the birth place of place of ConfuciusConfucius. .

Shandong is undergoing rapid economic development and Shandong is undergoing rapid economic development and is looking forward to a bright future.is looking forward to a bright future.

Shandong is a large province in ChinaShandong is a large province in China.. It It ranks second in coal prranks second in coal productionoduction, currently , currently 0.1 billion tonnes0.1 billion tonnes per annum and the per annum and the provproven reserves areen reserves are 27.8 billion tonnes. 27.8 billion tonnes.

The way ahead - ShandongThe way ahead - Shandong Shandong has the best coal industry safety record in CShandong has the best coal industry safety record in China. The Shandong Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Shina. The Shandong Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision most recently reported that from Jan to Seupervision most recently reported that from Jan to Sep 2004:p 2004:

• the coal output in Shandong was 104.61 Mtthe coal output in Shandong was 104.61 Mt• the fatality rate was 0.42 people/Mt – a decrease of 0.36 peoplthe fatality rate was 0.42 people/Mt – a decrease of 0.36 people/Mt from the same period last year e/Mt from the same period last year ((and far smaller than the and far smaller than the national rate of 3.71 people/Mt in 2003national rate of 3.71 people/Mt in 2003)) . .

Shandong is ranked No. 2 in the country in terms Shandong is ranked No. 2 in the country in terms of coal output, and No.1 in terms of production of coal output, and No.1 in terms of production safety.safety.

The way ahead - ShandongThe way ahead - Shandong We believe that this in large part reflects a focus on safWe believe that this in large part reflects a focus on safety training.ety training. Education and training are key drivers that Education and training are key drivers that

underpin a safety culture.underpin a safety culture. In China training for the coal mining industry is deliverIn China training for the coal mining industry is delivered through four types of institution:ed through four types of institution: Level A and Level B Institutions: Level A and Level B Institutions: training of coal mine managers and safety controllerstraining of coal mine managers and safety controllers Level C Institutions:Level C Institutions:training of special occupational workers in specitraining of special occupational workers in special al tectechnical skillshnical skills Level D InstitutionsLevel D Institutions:: On-site worker training at mine sitesOn-site worker training at mine sites

The way ahead - ShandongThe way ahead - Shandong Training parallels the Chinese Qualification fraTraining parallels the Chinese Qualification framework. The coal mining industry is seeking tmework. The coal mining industry is seeking to introduce minimum education and training so introduce minimum education and training standards tandards for employment in the coal industrfor employment in the coal industry - e.g. y - e.g. Mine manager and safety controllers – minimuMine manager and safety controllers – minimum 2 year diplomam 2 year diploma All other employees – at least secondary school All other employees – at least secondary school graduation.graduation.

The way ahead - ShandongThe way ahead - Shandong

Shandong province is leading the way towards Shandong province is leading the way towards an efficient and safe Chinese coal mining induan efficient and safe Chinese coal mining industry. stry. It is supported by the Shandong Bureau of CoaIt is supported by the Shandong Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision and the Shandol Mine Safety and Supervision and the Shandong University ng University of Science and of Science and Technology. Th Technology. The Bureau and the University both welcome inte Bureau and the University both welcome international collaboration ernational collaboration inin education, training education, training and research.and research.

ReferencesReferences China Mining Association and Ministry of Land and Resource 2000; State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2000; Chinese State Council 2002, the work Safety Law, Beijing Chinese State Bureau of Coal Industry 1999, production statistics. Chinese State Bureau of Coal Industry 1999, production statistics. Shandong Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2002, Report of Shandong Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2002, Report of

annual coal mining safety and supervision in Shandong province, annual coal mining safety and supervision in Shandong province, by General Director Gong Maoquan by General Director Gong Maoquan

Jing, J 1995, ‘Comparison between the world’s main coal producers Jing, J 1995, ‘Comparison between the world’s main coal producers with coal resources and support policies’, Journal of Coal Economy with coal resources and support policies’, Journal of Coal Economy Research, vol.6, P.7-8Research, vol.6, P.7-8

State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2003, National State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2003, National Coal production and safety, URL: Coal production and safety, URL:

http://www.chinacoal-safety.gov.cn/meikuangjianchahttp://www.chinacoal-safety.gov.cn/meikuangjiancha (accessed 16(accessed 16 August 2004)August 2004)

State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2002, Standards State Bureau of Coal Mine Safety and Supervision 2002, Standards of coal mining safety training (of coal mining safety training ( 安监管人字〔２００２〕安监管人字〔２００２〕 3737 号号 ), ), Standards China, Beijing.Standards China, Beijing.

http://www.chinacoal-safety.gov.cn/meikuangjiancha

http://www.chinacoal-safety.gov.cn/meikuangjiancha

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

coal mine industry in china

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