As of last year about 12,000 mines - they are trying to close smaller mines which are often illegal and have high death rates. However, they are still expanding

As of last year about 12,000 mines - they are trying to close smaller mines which are often illegal and have high death rates. However, they are still expanding capacity [2] - so the closure of mines isn't a good proxy to production of coal. Putting the 13 million metric tons cut into context - China produced 3 billion and change from 2010-2014 [2]. So, while it might be important for Beijing and may signal a change of stance (?), from a China usage perspective it isn't a big difference, by itself. [1] http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579509023076837450 http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014240527023046263045795090... [2] http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/669c44d2-a780-11e4-8e78-00144feab7de.html http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/669c44d2-a780-11e4-8e78-00144feab7...