China penalizes unsafe coal mines

BEIJING -- China's work safety watchdog on Monday unveiled several lists of penalties for unsafe coal mines, including mines that should be shut down or have production suspended for safety checks.

The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) decided to shut down eight coal mines around the country, including a mine in the city of Liaoyang, Liaoning Province, where a gas blast in March left 22 people dead, according to a statement on its website.

Local authorities should carry out itinerant inspections on coal mines that have been ordered to shut down to avoid their reopening, the administration said.

The SAWS has also decided to suspend production in 374 coal mines in violation of relevant laws and regulations in order to conduct safety overhauls, according to the statement.

The statement also revealed a list of 88 coal mines that should pay penalties of more than 500,000 yuan ($78,850 ) and a list of 13 coal mine chiefs whose safety certificates were revoked.