Zhao Tiechui, director of the bureau, said at a press conference on Thursday that the announcement would be made this month, and local government efforts must come under public scrutiny.

The authorities originally planned to close 2,652 unsafe small mines this year, but Li Yizhong, director of the State Administration of Work Safety, revealed the deadline had been extended to June next year.

"Some 2,652 unsafe small coal mines will be closed from January to June, with another 2,209 to be closed from July 2007 to the first half of 2008," he said.

By June 2008, the number of small coal mines would be reduced to around 10,000, which means the closure of 11,000 within three years. The remainder are expected to meet national safety standards.

However, problems emerged when the policy was implemented at local level.

Small coal mines, some of which are notoriously deadly, are considered the major capital source for local governments, leading to many local authorities protecting unsafe mines for financial gain.

Zhao Tiechui said the closing process "must be accelerated".

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