According to a Xinhua report, the country’s Work Safety Committee of the State Council is ordering local governments to follow work safety management regulations and supervise coal operations to negate findings in previous inspections.
The move comes after four workers were killed in a November 11 incident at a mine owned by Shenyang Coking Coal in Liaoning Province. Six miners are still missing.
State Council also outlined a focus on potential explosions, water and fire incidents as well as rockfalls as mining companies check operations for hidden dangers.
The crackdown on safety and illegal mining, according to the wire service, will include penalties including production halts and entire mine shutdowns.