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A Look at the Chinese Coal Industry

Posted on February 21, 2008 by Leah Hazard
Topics: Trade, Energy and Oil, Economic Development
Countries: China
A young coal worker in Shanxi, China. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andi808/580289428/">andi808 (flickr)</a>
A young coal worker in Shanxi, China. Photo: andi808 (flickr)

Check this out: China has the worst coal mine safety record in the world. Only two months ago, 105 men were killed in one mine. Last year, approximately 3,800 miners were killed in accidents.

Listen as Ted Koppel explores the safety problems surrounding China's coal industry.

China will soon transition from being a net exporter of coal to importing approximately 15 million tons more than it produces. Why? A booming economy, growing at 10 percent a year with every intention of maintaining its rapid speed, and an unusually harsh winter.

The government seems to be feeling pressure both to improve safety records, but also to keep the much demanded coal coming. In the end it seems that the economic concerns trump all.

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