Top coal province looks to hi-tech industries

North China's Shanxi Province, which accounts for one-third of the nation's total coal output, has achieved rapid economic growth over the past four years as it develops its traditional industries and branches out into new areas.

Investment in the province's key industries, including coal, coke, metallurgical and power, has increased 40 percent annually since 2003. Other industries in the province, such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and construction machinery, have also seen increases of over 30 percent in investment, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Shanxi is also developing its coal industry in the coal-to-oil and coal-to-chemical sectors, according to the local government. And the province will continue to close small coal mines using outdated technology.