A flood at a coal mine in Sichuan, China, trapped 28 workers on 21 November 2010. Fortunately, they were rescued the next day and nobody died.

Although many illegal mining fatalities were hidden by the government, the death toll increased in the first half of 2010. China, whose 70 percent of energy production depended on coal, has the deadliest mining accident record in the world. Last year, death of more than 2,600 workers in coal mining accident was reported.

Concerning the deadly accidents in coal mines, ACPP issued UA050419(2) in April 2005, urging the Chinese authorities to ensure the implementation of government safety measures, hold the mine owners accountable to the accidents, and allow miners to form independent labour unions to monitor production safety.

Sources: South China Morning Post, Headline Daily

The methane gas blast at the Tunlan Coal Mine in Gujiao, Shanxi province on 22 February 2009 claimed the lives of 74 workers.

Zhao Tiechui, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, said an initial investigation found deficiencies in airflow management, methane inspections, excavation-site management and the implementation of work safety measures.  Two company executives, including the director of the Tunlan Coal Mine, were removed from their posts after the tragedy.

Last year, more than 3,000 people died from mining accidents.  Official statistics estimated that 80% of the coal mines in China were small and illegally operated and put profits before safety of the miners.

Concerning the deadly accidents in coal mines, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in April 2005, urging the Chinese authorities to ensure the implementation of government safety measures, hold the mine owners accountable to the accidents, and allow miners to form independent labour unions to monitor production safety.


Source:
South China Morning Post

Coal mine industry in China is notorious for the high number of casualties.  The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) claimed that coal mine accidents have dropped significantly compared with the same period last year.  It was reported that two lives were lost in every two million tones of coal, compared to three last year.  However, reliability of the statistics remained a concern.

The SAWS admitted that there was widespread of unreported coal mine accidents.  Zhao Tiechui, Deputy Director of the SAWS also expressed that the statistics were not be highly reliable due to many covered-up incidents.  The recent scandal of hush money was reported in September. The Huobaogan River Coal Mine in Hongdong county, Shanxi province, paid an amount of CNY 125,700 (USD 18,407) hush money to 24 journalists to buy their silence over the gas explosion accident which caused a 41-year-old worker died on 20 September 2008.

Concerning the unending coal mine accidents, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the Chinese government to take immediate actions, including law enforcement, to ensure safety of the coal miners.


Source:
South China Morning Post

Fewer people were reported to have died in China’s deadly mines in the first 7 months of 2008 compared with the same period last year.  However, Mr. Huang Yi of the State Administration of Work Safety warned that the situation remained serious.  The death toll was 1,631 in the January to July period, a fall of 24 percent.

Despite attempts by the central government to combat deadly accidents, a Hong Kong based labour concern group has identified the government’s failed attempts.  In a report released in March by the China Labour Bulletin, it has identified some key reasons why the central government’s initiatives have failed to have a significant or lasting effect on mine safety:  mine owners and local officials have created an almost impenetrable network of collusion that prevents central government safety measures from being enforced.  Moreover, mine workers have no representative body to negotiate with mine owners and management over wages, working conditions and mine safety.  The balance of power, particularly in privately owned mines, is so one-sided that workers are left essentially powerless to protect their own interests.

Two mine accidents occurring on 18 August 2008 added another 17 deaths: 10 were killed in a gas explosion at Baijiagou Coal Mine in Faku, a county in Liaoning Province.  Another 7 were killed in a collapsed coal shaft in Mengla where they went down a transport tunnel to do repair work at 4:20 p.m. on that day.

In April 2005, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the authorities not only to ensure implementation of the government's safety measures, but also to allow miners to associate among themselves independently, and to get involved in the management of safe production.


Sources:
China Labour Bulletin
China Daily
Reuters News

According to the official news agency, Xinhua, the mainland produced 2.52 billion tones of coal last year, an increase of 8.2% from 2006; colliery accidents killed 3,786 people in 2007, a 20.2 % decline from the previous year.

On the other hand, there is a short-term emphasis on production that glossed over the complexity of the coal situation. After the country was hit hard by snowstorm in the end of January 2008, President Hu Jintao has ordered all state-owned mines to produce more coal and produce it faster, in order to guarantee supply for power plant in the south. China’s central planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that some previously closed mines would be allowed to re-open to help meet demand.

The State Administration of Work Safety has warned that mine accidents could sharply increase as collieries start operations again after Lunar New Year. During the Lunar New Year holidays many coal mines, especially those in areas hit by the snowstorms, were shut down by the snowstorms. The bureau believed these mines had accumulated a build-up of gas and that some were flooded.

Recognizing China as one of the deadliest in mine accidents in the world, Hotline Asia, in support of the post card campaign of Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, issued UA050419(2) in April 2005 to urge the Chinese authorities to ensure safe mining of coal.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
International Herald Tribune

The official Xinhua news agency reported on 12 January 2008 that deaths from mine accidents dropped 20% in 2007 compared with the previous year, although 3,786 people still lost their lives.

The State Administration of Work Safety director Li Yizhong however, added that accident rate for small mines remains high. "We must not be overly optimistic, and maintain a clear head constantly to prevent a rebound in accidents," Li said.

In another related state policy concerning state-owned enterprises (SOEs) announced in December 2007, heads of SOEs would be penalized in their annual work evaluations following major accidents. Under the policy, annual reviews are linked to compensation for SOE administrators, but Huang Shuhe, deputy director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, did not specify the monetary impact of violations. Huang said that the policy would also apply to those trying to cover-up accidents. China has more than 150 central SOEs working in almost all sectors, including coal mining.

Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in 2005 to urge the authorities to establish a strict accountability system for safe coal mining and to allow miners to associate among themselves independently, so as to get involved in the management of safe production. While there was continuous flow of administrative efforts to improve accountability system, no obvious attempt for the latter request was observed.

Sources:
Reuters
Xinhua News

According to the state media, the State Administration of Work Safety said in November that accidents at Chinese coal mines killed 3,069 people in the first 10 months of this year, a drop of 19 percent over the same period in 2006. However, the coal industry in China still ranks as the world's deadliest.

In a separate circular to its local branches in early November the Administration also warned of the possible rise in the number of colliery accidents as coal production accelerates to meet winter demand.

Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in 2005 to urge the authorities to ensure implementation of the government's safety measures to protect miners' lives.

Sources:
Reuters
Xinhua News

According to the website of State Administration of Works Safety (SAWS), China will close at least 10,000 dangerous small coal mines this year, 6 months ahead of schedule. Small coal mines, operations that produce less than 300,000 tonnes of a coal a year, produce a third of the mainland’s coal but account for 2/3 of coal mine deaths.

The administration’s figures suggest the number of coal mine accidents in the first 5 months of this year dropped 21.7% on yearly basis, with the number of deaths down 14%. However, the number of accidents with 20 to 29 deaths rose 7.7%.

Without naming, Mr. Li Yizhong of SAWS criticized some areas which merged small coal mines, which were not even in the same area, into one big coal mine to avoid being closed.

Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in 2005 to urge the authorities to establish a strict accountability system for the safe mining of coal.

Source:
South China Morning Post

Officials reported that a total of 661 miners were killed in the first three months of 2007, a decrease of 15.6 percent from last year.

An investigation by the Supreme People's Procuratorate into the treatment of officials involved in mining disasters in 2006 revealed that 95.6 per cent of all officials charged with dereliction of duty or abuse of power, were either given a suspended sentence or received no punishment at all.

The spokesman of State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) vowed to join with public security departments to crack down on crimes regarding safe production and bring those responsible to justice. The call echoes the call of the State Council (China's cabinet) for harsher punishments for those who cover up or make dishonest reports in the hope of escaping responsibility.

In April 2005, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the Chinese authorities to establish a strict accountability system to hold mine owners and officials in breach of duties accountable.

Sources:
China Labour Bulletin
Human Rights In China
Xinhua News Agency

State Administration of Work Safety director Li Yizhong announced on 13 March 2007 that the department is working with other government agencies to introduce more commercial life insurance for miners.

The initiative is yet another attempt by the central government to curtail the rampant rise of coal mine accidents. Despite the work safety watchdog¡¦s previous efforts to clamp down more than 8,000 small and unsafe mines since 2005, more than 7,000 workers were killed in mining-related disasters in 2006. Independent labour groups put the death poll to as high as 20,000 miners annually, as operators tend to cover up accidents to avoid costly shut-down and fines. The authority admitted the iron-fisted approaches had yet to yield to result because of widespread collusion between local government officials and coal mine owners.

Concerned with the appalling working and safety conditions of Chinese coal miners, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in 2005 to call for implementation of the government's safety measures to protect miners' lives.

Source:
South China Morning Post

China plans to consolidate its mining industry by the end of 2008. The Xinhua News agency reported that under a consolidation plan approved by the State Council, only one company will be allowed to operate in each ¡§mining area¡¨. The change is aimed at cutting accidents rates, lowering pollution and improving efficiency in mineral exploitation in the industry.

Deaths in Chinese coal mines fell by 20 per cent last year. A total of 4,746 died in blasts, floods and other accidents last year. The State Administration of Coal Mine Safety said it was the first time in 30 years the figure had dropped below 4,800. Nevertheless, the administration head admitted the situation is still unsatisfactory with accidents occurring too frequently.

In April 2005, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to encourage the government to ensure implementation of safety measures to safeguard the lives of coal miners.


Sources:
South China Morning Post
International Herald Tribune

Mine explosions continue and death tolls climb. In the 3 days of 25 to 27 November 2006, at least 85 coal miners were killed in 3 mine accidents in Yunnan, Shanxi and Heilongjiang provinces.

One hundred and four miners were killed in a series of coal mine accidents across China from 1 to 14 November, according to the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS). Mr. Li Yizhong, a SAWS official said the number of major coal mine disasters rose by 26 percent in October compared with September and the death toll rose by 44 percent. He also admitted that the fourth quarter was the peak season for major mine disasters because demand for coal soared in winter and the industry went into overdrive to meet production targets at the end of the fiscal year.

Despite the guidelines released by the authorities on boosting administration at key state-owned coal mines, Mr. Li agrees that enforcement is the key to success. In his comment on the Yunnan accidents which took place on 25 November, he said that the accident should never have happened because the mine was ordered to be closed by his agency and the provincial government at the beginning of the year. "The case illustrates how some local governments are willfully flouting national safety regulations," he said.

His statement was echoed by the China Labour Bulletin (CLB). In its latest report on 14 November, CLB reiterated that the best way to reduce coal mine accidents was to allow miners to take part in coal mine safety management and monitoring. They hold the opinion that since miners work in the mines everyday, they are more familiar with the situation of their workplaces than government safety officials. Therefore, CLB proposes that it is for the best interest of the miners that they engage in monitoring the safety of their workplaces, provided that they are given enough training on coal mine safety.

Due to the fact that China is the deadliest in mine accidents in the world with an average death of more than 16 per day, Hotline Asia, in support of the post card campaign of Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, issued UA050419(2) in April 2005 to urge the government to allow miners to associate among themselves independently, and to get involved in the management of safe production.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
International Herald Tribune
China Labour Bulletin

The Ministry of Land and Resources will centralize mining approvals in order to rein in small and unsafe operations. The ministry has unearthed more than 64,000 improperly licensed mines and it will evaluate mining applications and set license rates, while local bureaux will handle details.

Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the authorities to establish a strict accountability system for the safe mining of coal. The UA also highlighted the importance of freedom to independently associate among the labour force and to get involved in the management of production.


Source:
Reuters

The State Council’s work safety office has come up with a 3-year plan to close half of the nation’s 21,000 small coal mines by 2008, in order to clamp down on unsafe and unsustainable mining. The National Development and Reform Commission said mine closures and consolidation will continue in the next 12 months while strict enforcement of entry barrier will be a focus after the 12-month period.

According to China Business News, 50 officials in China participated in a course on coal mine safety and sustainable development at Peking University in June. The course, organized by the Central Organization Department, includes lectures by leading national and international specialists in the industry.

Deputy Director of law enforcement for the Ministry of Supervision, Mr. Sun Huaixin, told the People’s Daily in June that, in response to a central government order, government and state-owned enterprises officials have withdrawn 620 million yuan (US77.5 million) they invested in coal mines. Engaging in private business is banned by the government and the Chinese Communist Party.

Meanwhile, mine accidents continue. In the weekend of 15 and 16 July 2006 alone, 3 mine accidents took place in the provinces of Shanxi, Hunan and Guizhou. These explosion and floods led to 64 deaths and 25 missing persons.

Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the authorities to establish a strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials accountable for mine accidents.

Source:
South China Morning Post

On 18 May 2006, a flood in the Xinjing Coal Mine in Shanxi province, China has lead to 44 miners missing. The mine was operating at more than ten times its licensed annual output level of 90,000 tonnes. Nine mine managers were detained for attempting to conceal the scale of the accident. Head of national safety agency, Mr. Li Yizhong, who arrived and directed the rescue operation, said the accident was the worst mine disaster this year.

Mine accident is a large scale phenomenon in China. Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to urge the Chinese government to allow miners to associate among themselves independently, and to get involved in the management of safe production.

Source:
South China Morning Post

According to China Labour Bulletin's (CLB) latest research report (March 2006) on coal mine safety management in China, a serious conflict has arisen between the voracious market demand for coal and the effective implementation of government reforms aimed at improving coal mine safety. By simply closing unsafe coal mines when the market demand for coal remains high, the government, in effect, ensures that the remaining mines will end up operating at well above their safe production capacity, which in turn leads to fresh mining disasters. Another fundamental problem is the widespread collusion between local government officials and mine owners, which further hinders mine safety policy implementation.

On 1 February 2006, a gas blast killed 23 miners in the Sihe Coal Mine, a state-run coal mine in Shanxi Province.

In April 2005, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) to encourage the government to ensure implementation of safety measures to safeguard the lives of coal miners.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
China Labour Bulletin

Despite tougher state mine rule introduced since August 2005, the problem of unsafe mine persists. In late November to the first week of December, at least 300 miners have been killed in 7 accidents nationwide in just 2 weeks. China Coal Industry Network (CCIN) research indicates that major causes of fatalities are poor safety and construction standards, poor management and minimal training.

In December 2005, head of the State Administration of Work Safety, Mr. Li Yizhong said that rampant corruption and ineffective penalties for mine owners and managers were behind the mainland's appalling mine safety record. Mr. Li said the central government would prosecute 96 officials over mine accidents and related corruptions. He admitted that although the overall safety environment had improved, the situation was still grave. The authorities might revise the law or make judicial interpretations to increase penalties for similar offences.

11 major coal mine accidents in 2005 had claimed at least 30 lives each, with the 4 worst accidents recording death tolls of more than 100.

Hotline-Asia issued UA050419(2) in April 2005 to encourage the Chinese authorities to ensure implementation of the government's safety measures to protect miners' lives as well as to establish a strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials in breach of duties accountable.

Source:
South China Morning Post

In the latest attempt to curb the country's rampant mine accidents, the central government has ordered that at least 1 management representatives should be present during every shift and will be held responsible for all safety matters.

In October, the state media has reported that the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection would send investigation teams to oversee local government officials probing the nation's coal mining industry.

Concerned with the wide-spread of unsafe mine and mine explosion, Hotline Asia issued UA050419(2) in April 2005 to encourage the Chinese authorities to establish a strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials in breach of duties accountable.

Source:
South China Morning Post

In September, the Central Government has assumed a tougher stand against illegal coal mines. The Guangdong mine owners responded with a threat to take drastic action to stop authorities from destroying their operations.

A new State Council decree was circulated ordering the closure of coal mines that are found to have 15 hidden dangers. These dangers range from overproduction, poor ventilations to use of outmoded production facilities. The decree also stated that county and town officials would face dismissal or demotion if illegal mines were found in areas under their jurisdiction. This decree took effect on 3 September 2005.

To combat the collusion between officials and mine owners, the State Council passed the "Special Regulation to prevent Coal Mine Disasters" on 31 August 2005. It ordered local governments to implement 5 measures to boost coal mine safety, aimed at stamping out collusion between government officials and mine owners, and ensuring that those found guilty of corrupt activities linked to mine accidents are punished. In early August, the State Council issued an ultimatum for all government officials to withdraw their investment in coal mines by 22 September or face heavy penalty. However, the order does not cover shares in coal mines listed on stock markets. As of 21 August 2005, mine accidents has caused 1436 deaths this year.

Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese (HKJP) continues its support for Chinese miners. On 16 September 2005, HKJP held a prayer assembly for them.

In April 2005, Hotline-Asia issued UA050419(2) in support HKJP's campaign for Miners' Safety in China. It calls for strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials in breach of duties accountable and ensure implementation of the government's safety measures to protect miners' lives.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese

The unsafe work conditions in China continues: official statistics released on 11 July 2005 indicated that coal mine disasters have contributed more to mass deaths in the country than fires and traffic accidents.

In June 2005, Mr. Li Yizhong, director of the State Administration of Work Safety Administration of Work Safety Supervision said the administration focused this year on identifying corruption, derelict officials and irregularities in supervision by watchdog employees. According to Xinhua News Agency, the official media, announced the appointment of the first 200 safety supervisors from North China's Shanxi Province into a nationwide body to be comprised of 100,000 experienced coal miners. This body, organized under an initiative from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, will be given the task of ensuring the overall safety of coalmines, stopping illegal coal mining operations and evacuating workers from mines operating under dangerous conditions.

In addition, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a circular instructing 1) mines that fail to reach safety or environmental standards are to be closed; 2) mine owners should buy accident insurance for all miners; and 3) that miners should not be working underground for more than eight hours daily (of which a maximum of six hours can be spent in the coal beds). In addition, the policy paper mandates that miners be given protective equipment before going underground.

Observers commented that owners are often the problem. Mr. Zhang Li of the China Coal Industry Development Research Center in Beijing said owners were often merely paying lip-service to safety concerns and personal interests are always placed first. Labour rights activists and state media reports indicate that it is common for mine owners to cover up deaths to avoid punishment. Mr. Li Yizhong admitted that collusion between mine owners and local officials is contributing to the problem - local officials either have direct stake in the operations or receive bribes to ignore dangerous conditions.

Hotline-Asia issued UA050419(2) in April this year to encourage the Chinese authorities to ensure implementation of the government's safety measures to protect miners' lives as well as to establish a strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials in breach of duties accountable.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
China Labour Bulletin

Another deadly coal blast happened at the Nuanerhe mine, Hebei province in the morning of 19 May 2005. 45 workers were killed in the accident. The mine was operating without a safety license and had been warned to stop work. Xinhua reported that a team from Hebei's Work Safety Bureau had been investigating the local officials. However, the report did not provide specific details.

The tragedy followed another blast at a small mine in Panzhihua in Sichuan Province, causing 21 dead.

In April 2005, Hotline Asia, in support of Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong's (JPHK) post card campaign, issued UA050419(2) encouraging the Chinese authorities to ensure implementation of the government's safety measures and to establish a strict accountability system on safe production to hold mine owners and officials accountable.

Please continue to support the post card campaign of JPHK by writing letters and sending postcards to the Chinese government. For online postcards, please click: http://www.hkjp.org/mine-tradegy.htm (Chinese) or http://www.hkjp.org/mine-tradegy-e.htm (English)

Source:
South China Morning Post