Central China's Henan province will consolidate most of its small coalmines to update the scattered industry base and eliminate outdated capacity.

Among 466 small coalmines with an annual output capacity below 300,000 tonnes, 456 have already agreed to be merged with six leading coal companies in the province, local media said on Jul 28.

Henan Coal Chemical Industry Group, Zhong Ping Energy Chemical Group, Yima Coal Industry Group, Zhengzhou Coal Industry Group, Henan Shenhuo Coal & Power Co and Henan Provincial Coal Seam Gas Development and Utilization Co will lead the consolidation to snap up these small coal mines with a controlling stake of no less than 51 percent, said Chen Dangyi, vice-director of Henan Provincial Industry and Information Bureau.

Some 800 coalmines are scattered across Henan province, with small mines accounting for 85 percent.

After the consolidation, the province will form three large coal enterprises, each with 50 million tonnes of annual production capacity, and the six leading coal companies will account for 75 percent of overall capacity in the region.