The government of a northeast China city - Harbin has blown down
two mines after two fatal accidents claiming 34 lives, showing its
determination to fight unsafe operation in small mines.
The government had revoked all the licenses and permits for the
two mines, namely Yuanhua and Chengjin, shut off power, cut
telephone lines and dismissed all the employees before blowing down
the mines.
A gas explosion at Yuanhua Colliery in Hengshan District of Jixi
City killed 26 miners on November 25. Six days later, eight more
miners were killed in Chengjin Colliery in the same district.
Earlier this month the head of Hengshan District, Jiang Min, and
a deputy head, Dong Enyi, were dismissed from their posts,
according to the Jixi Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of
China.
Investigations showed both the mines had been ordered to halt
production for safety checks, but the mine owners violated the
orders and started illegal production.
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2006)