Authorities Probe Safety Lapses After Coal Mine Blast Kills 82 in China

Coal remains a major energy source in China, given its high availability and low cost, even as the country accelerates its green energy transition.

Authorities in northern China were investigating a coal mine operator with a focus on safety lapses. This came after the deadliest coal mine explosion in recent years that killed at least 82 people. An Associated Press reporter witnessed police and security guarding the entrance to the mining facility located in Qinyuan county, Changzhi city.

Hundreds of emergency responders and medical personnel were sent to help with rescue efforts. Rescuers faced hurdles including flooded tunnels as they took turns going down the mine shaft. Two miners were missing and dozens were hospitalized following a gas explosion on Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi province.

The death toll was revised from 90, with officials blaming chaotic scenes and inaccurate information provided by the mine operator. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a thorough investigation and accountability of those responsible. Some injured miners recalled seeing smoke and blacking out due to toxic gas.

Shanxi province is China’s main coal-mining area, located southwest of Beijing with a population of around 34 million. The village of Shangzhuang, where some of the miners who work at the site live, lies a few hundred meters from the mine. After the explosion, other mines in the area shut down and some miners left while others stayed behind waiting to receive their pay.

Coal miners can be paid more than 10,000 yuan ($1,500) a month. Local officials said the coal mine had seriously violated the law, although they did not elaborate on specific violations. State media reported that blueprints provided by the Liushenyu coal mine did not match the actual layout, hampering rescue efforts.

State media also said those responsible had been placed under control. A commentary in the official People’s Daily newspaper called for all regions and departments to learn from the accident and always keep safety in mind. Local authorities announced a comprehensive inspection of the coal mining sector that would include checks of coal mines’ gas drainage, ventilation, safety monitoring systems, and underground layouts.

A broader inspection of coal mines could put pressure on Shanxi’s ability to produce its annual capacity of around 1.3 billion metric tons of coal, which accounts for nearly a third of China’s total. The country’s total coal output rose to approximately 4.8 billion metric tons last year. Coal remains a major energy source in China due to its high availability and low cost, even as the country accelerates its green energy transition.