A general view of the Xilutian coal mine in Fushun, Liaoning province, China June 26, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer China’s coal output rose 16% in the first quarter from the same period last year, bolstered by strong demand for winter heating and robust industrial activity. China churned out 970.56 million tonnes of coal between January and March, up from 829.91 million tonnes in the same period in 2020, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Friday. Production in March alone was 340.76 million tonnes, down 0.2% on year. While coronavirus restrictions in the first quarter of this year were less stringent than last year’s, output has been curbed by increased safety inspections at coal mines in China following several fatal accidents at mines across the country. Last year, coal mines were shut in January and February as the coronavirus outbreak forced the government to prolong the Lunar New […]