Once synonymous with exploitation of indigenous peoples, environmental pollution and corruption, the mining industry has, in the last decade, responded by recasting itself, through the efforts of a handful of leading companies, into one that strives to minimise its harmful impacts, according to a new report entitled Sustainable Mining: Oxymoron or New Reality? published this week by F&C.

Despite the -4.4% increase in GDP, the Shanxi government has made up its mind to conduct a reform to its pillar industry – the coal industry. The reform is clearly targeted at integrating the 2598 coal mines into 1000 ones. Besides, the minimum production capital of each coal enterprise should not be lower than 3 million tons. The single well’s output should be increased from 300 thousand tons to 900 thousand tons.