Shanxi has been reducing its outdated coal production capacity in recent years due to structural adjustment in energy. [Photo/VCG]

TAIYUAN - North China's coal-rich Shanxi province discovered more than 2.44 billion tonnes of coal reserves last year, exceeding the output for the same period, local authorities said Thursday.

Shanxi allocated 357 million yuan ($53 million) in 2018 on the exploration of mineral products, according to the provincial land and resources department.

By the end of 2014, the province had found over 294 billion tonnes of coal reserves. But its coal output did not see a boost. It produced 893 million tonnes of coal in 2018, compared to 832 million tonnes in 2016.

Shanxi has been reducing its outdated coal production capacity in recent years due to structural adjustment in energy.

The coal hub has phased out more than 88 million tonnes of outdated coal production over the past three years, and the figure is expected to surpass 100 million tonnes by 2020.