Linfen, a major coking coal base in northern China's Shanxi province, plans to keep its total coal production capacity at around 140 million tonnes by the end of the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period in 2030.

The city will accelerate procedures for new mines and push forward ongoing projects to secure capacity replacement, while promoting intelligent and green mining. By 2027, eligible operational mines are expected to achieve basic intelligent transformation, shifting from labor-intensive to smart-driven operations, according to a press conference held by the Shanxi provincial government.

Linfen's primary coking coal is a scarce strategic resource nationwide. The city aims to build a "3+6+N" modern industrial system, focusing on coal safety, production, sales, transport and economics, while advancing large-scale, green and intelligent development of the coal sector.

The city also plans to foster two industrial clusters each worth 100 billion yuan, two worth 50 billion yuan and four worth 10 billion yuan, transitioning its industrial structure from coal-dominated to a more diversified base.

Since the start of this year, Linfen has carried out special campaigns to eliminate fatal coal mine accidents and conduct routine hazard inspections, implementing a "dual red line" management system. It has introduced six supervisory measures including intelligent mine control, InSAR satellite monitoring, monthly data verification and intelligent robot patrols.

During the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period, Linfen will accelerate phase-two capacity construction at the Daji coalbed methane field and promote interconnection of gas pipelines within the city, aiming for annual output of 10 billion cubic meters by 2030 to make unconventional gas a new pillar industry.

In new energy, Linfen is advancing the Puxian pumped-storage power station with total investment of 8.84 billion yuan, alongside several new-type energy storage projects. The city targets 10 GW of installed new energy capacity by the end of the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period.

As an important coal, coke and steel production base in Shanxi, Linfen aims to bring advanced production capacity in these sectors to at or near 100%, with green mines accounting for 40% of total mines, advanced coking capacity exceeding 20 million tonnes, and special steel accounting for over 40% of steel output by 2030.

The city expects the value-added output of coal and non-coal industries to reach a roughly 1:1 ratio within five years, achieving a fundamental industrial transformation in step with the province.