China plans to reorganize the development of 171 minerals by the end of 2008 in a bid to improve resource efficiency and reduce mining accidents and pollutant discharges, said sources with the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR).

The reorganizing efforts will initially target 15 kinds of mineral resources, including coal, iron, manganese, copper, aluminum, lead and zinc, which contribute greatly to the national economy but also create many problems.

The reorganization will reduce mining rights by 20 percent, and increase resource efficiency by 10 percent, according to MLR estimates.

Other key targets are a 10 percent reduction in mining accidents and a a 15 percent reduction in pollutant discharges.

Only one mining company will be authorized at each mine, small companies will be encouraged to merge with bigger ones, production safety will be more strictly supervised and mining companies ordered to improve efficiency and protect the environment through technological advances.

The number of mines has dropped from 280,000 in 1990 to 120,000 now as China strives to improve the efficiency and safety of the mining sector, according to the sources.

But a number of small, inefficient mines -- a blight on the national economy -- are still in operation.

Source: Xinhua