A coal mine in southwest China's Guizhou Province has been fined 2.65 million
yuan (about US$330,000) following a fatal gas leak that killed 15
miners in March, according to the local coal mine safety watchdog
on Wednesday.
Wulunshan colliery, which was being built when the tragedy
occurred, was immediately ordered to cease construction and ordered
to take measures to improve safety in the coal mine.
The coal mine can only resume construction when it meets safety
standards, according to the Guizhou Provincial Coal Mine Safety
Supervision Administration.
The gas leak occurred at 10 PM March 26 when 104 miners were
carrying out construction work underground. The release of a sudden
burst of gas killed 15 workers. Eighty-nine miners managed to
escape.
Investigations showed that Wulunshan Coal Industry Co Ltd had
failed to properly study the complicated geological conditions in
the area and had not taken efficient measures to prevent a gas
leak.
Company management was inadequate and safety measures were not
strictly implemented, according to investigations.
The investigation also revealed that construction of the coal
mine had begun without approval from higher authorities, and that
managers had falsified files of miners working underground. Miners
had received no training in how to prevent and escape gas leaks,
according to investigators.
Qin Lerao, chairman of the board of directors and general
manager of the company, received a serious warning from the Party
and was fined 30,000 yuan (US$3,750).
Ten other company managers received Party warnings,
administrative sanctions, demotions or fines or were dismissed.
Construction of the coal mine begun in May 2005 and it was due
to go into operation in August this year. The 760 million yuan
(US$95 million) coal mine will have an annual production capacity
of 6.9 million tons.
(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2006)