Interfax China reported that Western China coal rich regions in particular Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will expand coal shipments to eastern China during the 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2011-2015).

Shanghai Securities News reported, citing a National Energy Agency statement issued June 13 that the government will increase investment in coal transportation railway lines over the next five years in support of the plan. Additionally, the NEA plans to consolidate the coal industry into 20 large firms over the next five years to improve industry efficiency.

According to the report with each large coal firm having an annual coal production capacity exceeding 50 million tonnes, these 20 firms would contribute approximately 60% of China aggregate coal output yearly.

The NEA forecast that China 2015 coal output would top 3.79 billion tonnes a 550 million tonne increase from 2010.

(Sourced from Interfax-China)