Henan Plans to Shut Down Over 475 mines by 2015

Recently, the General Office of Henan Provincial Government printed and distributed “Henan Province Metal and Non-metal Mine Rectification Shutdown Work Plan (2012—2015)”(The Plan). By carrying out rectification and shutdown work, by the end of 2015, it is planned to shut down over 475 mines, which can basically change the “many, small, scattered, poor” mine condition in the province.

The Plan pointed out that through rectification and shutdown work, by the end of 2015, it plans to shut down more than 475 mines (in 2011 the whole province has a total of 2493 mines), basically change the “many, small,scattered, poor” mine condition in the province,unlawful and illegal behaviors such as mining without license are effectively restrained, small mines running contrary to industrial policy and having low safety guarantee ability are rectified and shut down according to law, behaviors such as wasting and damaging mineral resources and serious environment pollution are kept under control, the number of small mines decreased considerably, safe foundation work is further strengthened, mine safe production conditions further improved, mine scale development, mechanization, standardization, informatization, and scientific standards further improved, production safety accidents dropped significantly, it will strive to prevent major accidents, and eliminate the occurrence of major,extraordinary major accidents.

The Plan clarified that the highlights of this time’s rectification and shutdown: Firstly,mines with unlawful and illegal exploitation actions; secondly, mines that still fail to meet safe production conditions after production suspension & rectification within prescribed time; thirdly, mines with backward process,technology, and equipment, which have seriously damaged vegetation, and do not comply with industry development policies.

The Plan demanded to investigate the responsibility of key officials of related provincial city,county (city, district) and township governments who failed to fulfill their duties in rectification and shutdown campaign to outlaw, shut down, and rectify target mines. Meanwhile, the provincial government will adopt mine rectification & shutdown work results as key indicators for all regions and all departments’ safe production year-end assessment, criticize those which failed to fulfill the task, and cancel yearend eligibility to qualify for advanced unit title.