East China’s Shandong province will shut down all the coal mines with production capacity below 300,000 tonnes per annum by end-2015, according to a document recently issued by the local government.

Only those mines with extremely rich resources may survive through capacity upgrading, but have to go through relevant formalities required for new mine projects.

Current coal and gas outburst mines, rock burst mines and those with a mining depth below 1000 meters are not allowed to expand their capacities. Relevant authorities will verify the production capacities of all these mines before end-2015 and make corresponding adjustments for those fail to meet safety requirements.

The province would also stop giving green light to the construction of coal mines with capacity below 450,000 tonnes or coal and gas outburst mines below 900,000 tonnes per annum.

Meanwhile, the Shandong Finance Department and Shandong coal industry Bureau would jointly enhance fiscal supports and encourage more small mines to close or be regrouped by larger ones.