Shanxi coal company ordered to shut some open-pit mines after fatal accident

[BEIJING] Jinneng Co Ltd has been ordered to shut its open-pit coal mines in the city of Jinzhong in Shanxi province following a deadly accident at one of its mines, state media said on Wednesday, as scrutiny of safety across China's vast mining intensifies.

Authorities will carry out safety checks at the mines that are shuttered after four people were killed and five were missing following an accident at a mine in Jinzhong run by Lv Xin Coal Co Ltd, a subisidary of Jinneng, on Aug 11 The number of mines in Jinzhong is not known, but Shanxi is one of China's top producing coal regions.

Poor safety and equipment have led to a number of mining disasters in China, the world's top commodities producer and consumer, in recent years.

REUTERS