China will suspend issuing coal exploration rights for three more years to prevent over-mining, the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) said on Thursday.

The move, which is effective until the end of 2013, aims to "prevent overheated investment in coal mine exploration, which may result in excess production capacity," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

The decision followed a previous suspension of coal exploration rights from March 26, 2009 to March 31, 2011. The move first came into effect in February 2007, which halted issuance of rights from Feb. 2, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008.

The statement said that only "key coal mine projects" approved by the State Council, China's cabinet, and those that have been granted special exploration funds and approved by the MLR, may seek exploration rights.

The ministry also ordered local authorities to strengthen supervision of coal exploration and management of coal exploration rights.

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