Guizhou to dump half its coal mines

Guizhou governor Chen Min'er delivers the annual government work report at the second session of the 12th Guizhou Provincial People's Congress on Jan 14. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Guizhou authorities vowed to reduce the number of coal mines in the province by half in the first six months of 2014 to protect the environment, according to the governor, Chen Min'er.

Currently, there are 1,690 mines. The number will be cut to about 800, the provincial government said.

The province will also speed up development of emerging industries, including electronic information, new materials and biotechnology, with a view toward making them major pillar industries in the province, Chen said during the second session of the 12th Guizhou Provincial People's Congress on Tuesday.

The province will also build up an assessment mechanism based on the building of an ecological civilization, Chen said.

It will also continue to develop its competitive industries of wine, tobacco, tea and food.