Shanxi's coal exports grew during the first three quarters of 2016, with the volume accounting for one fifth of China's total production, according to the latest figures published by Taiyuan customs on Nov 21.

From January to September, the province had coal exports of 1.25 million tons, representing year-on-year growth of 12.9 percent, making up 19.9 percent of national coal exports, which reached 6.3 million tons.

The export volume amounted to 680 million yuan ($98.68 million). September saw no imports of coal and 60 million yuan of coal exports, up 82 percent compared with August 2016.

The exports were mainly made up of anthracite which was transported to Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Malaysia and India. Meanwhile, local State-owned companies dominated coal exports during the first three quarters of 2016.

As the biggest coal production base in China, Shanxi has produced 16 billion tons of raw coal, with 70 percent exported since October 1949.