| Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read |
| Lucrative Coal Field Shunned by Developers in E. China |
| Adjust font size: |
A coal field with a proven reserve of over 200 million tons and a potential mining life of 100 years in eastern The decision by the local government not to exploit the 120-square-kilometer coal field in Yanzhou, a county traditionally reliant on coal to drive its economy, has been seen as a triumph for environmental campaigners. "It has not been easy to make this decision and a debate on whether or not to develop the coal field has been raging for some time," said Han Jun, party chief of the local CPC committee. "There have been two voices. One said that we should put the coal mine into production as soon as possible and make as much money as possible. The other one said we should not ruin more land and save some natural resources for our offspring," Han said. Early estimates show that if the mine had been put into production, the coal mine could have earned 800 million yuan (US$103 million) in sales income and earned the local government more than 50 million yuan in taxes each year. The decision to hold fire comes at a time when Yanzhou is undergoing a transformation from a city dependant on its coal resources to a city driven by the development of alternative industries. Yanzhou is listed 48th of the 100 richest counties in the country. Its coal industry now accounts for 20 percent of the local gross domestic product (GDP), down from 60 percent a few years ago. According to the project for local energy development between 2006 and 2010, "Sealing up coal fields and developing them when the technology is more mature is a good way to aid the sustainable development of (Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2006)
|
| Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read |
 |
| Related Stories |
|
Product Directory China Search |
Country Search Hot Buys |
