It is reported that the gas explosion in a coal mine in central China Henan Province has prompted immediate mine closures in the Pingdingshan district a thermal coal producing region.

According to various media reports, with at least 36 people missing and 43 dead, the Henan provincial government has shut down all 157 mine shafts in the district.

Analysts were quick to reveal statistics on coal production from the area.

ANZ in a commodities report said the coal mines in the district had a combined production capacity of 60 million tonnes per annum.

Macquarie said the provincial government had cracked down on small mines in the province with production of less than 300,000 tonnes per annum that were operating without proper licensing.

Macquarie said Henan produced 111 million tonnes of raw coal for the year to July 2009, 7% of China total reported production.

(Source from International Longwall News)