CHINA'S COAL RESOURCES.

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 12

CHINA'S COAL RESOURCES.

The Chinese Government Geological Survey has estimated that the coal reserves of China total about 248,000,000,000 tons, most of which "s in North China, where mining is carSfViS? largely by modern methods. or China s coal resources, bituminous coal represents about 77.9 per cent anthracite about 20.7, and lignite about 1.2 per cent. In 1912 the output of coal in China was 8,987,862 tons, in 1926 it had risen to over 23,000,000 tons while in 1931 it was more than 27,000,000 tons. The figure for 1934 however, is. placed at 20,000,000 tons', but this excludes the four northeastern provinces, which were lost owing to the Japanese occupation of Manchuria. Leaving these out of account, the figures show a steady increase. The yearly consumption of coal in China proper is estimated at 22,000,000 tons, but with the development of industries it will soon be increased to 25,000,000 tons. If production remains at 20,000,000 tons the only way to make up the deficiency will be to buy foreign coal, and to prevent this the Chinese Ministry of Industry have drawn up a four-year plan, the first step of which is.to secure enough coal for coke-making for the iron and steel industry. The second step will be to increase production along the Yangtze Valley, both for industrial and household purposes, and when sufficient coal has been produced lor this object, steps will be taken, to increase the output for export.