Party officials ordered to quit the mining industry to stop corruption
The government has issued a public statement, ordering all its representatives to withdraw from all activities or shares linked to mines. The screws are being tightened on Guangdong's irregular mining industry after accidents at the beginning of the month.
Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) The Chinese government has asked all its representatives to get rid of shares in the mining industry as quickly as possible. The warning is part of a changed approach towards mines and the corruption they are swamped in, a system blamed even by leaders for causing thousands of deaths each year.
China's mining industry is the most dangerous in the world: last year, according to official data, 6,027 miners were killed: an average of 16 per day. In 2005, so far, 1,436 have been killed and more than 60% of fatal accidents took place in mines which had been ordered to close for safety reasons. "Corruption on the part of local officials was partly responsible for the accidents," a national daily said.
An announcement issued on Monday and published on the website of
China's work safety watchdog organisation, warned leaders to withdraw any shares held in coal mining facilities before September 22, although it does not detail the penalties for failing to do so. Having such shares is already an illegal activity in itself but the announcement says these people will have the possibility to "correct their mistakes".
The announcement reiterates that mines which do not meet minimal safety criteria must be shut down. Communist leaders have promised to keep on increasing the level of security in this sector, but mining accidents continue to be a daily occurrence. Efforts to safeguard miners come up against the thirst for energy sweeping across a country in full economic swing.
After the publication of the announcement, the authorities of the southern province of Guangdong ordered an urgent five-day review of all high-risk industries, especially those in the mining sector. The Guangdong Industry and Commerce Bureau ordered 10 working groups to examine safety at factories and mines. They will also review local inspectors' safety reports to ensure accuracy. The groups will also check public venues such as internet café and nightclubs, and even examine the conditions at food and chemical factories. This urgent order follows the publication of the announcement but it was prompted above all by the disastrous flooding at the beginning of the month of Daxing mine in Meizhou, when 123 miners lost their lives. The disaster prompted the regional authorities to close all unlicensed mines and to investigate links between the mine owners and local politicians. Last week, in Lianzhou alone, the public security authorities blew up more than 32 mines: the total destruction means they will be unable to reopen.
Colliery owners in Shaoguan and Qingyuan do not appreciate the blanket order of closure and they have vowed to petition Beijing. "Safety is not the business of the Industry and Commerce Bureau - it is the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Production Safety Supervision and Administration," said Pang Wenxian , manager of the Xichong Colliery in Lianzhou. "I don't know what they are up to."
Liu Tao , who works at the Tianlun Colliery in Shaoguan's Lishi township, agreed. "I guess they want to put pressure on local governments to speed the cleanup of the coal industry," he said. The ultimatum of the state Council to close illegal mines has scared investors in Shaguan: "We are now raising funds for hiring lawyers, with some big mines willing to pay 50,000 yuan and small ones contributing 10,000 yuan. We are determined to fight for justice."
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22/09/2016 08:53
12/03/2007
