China’s remarkable levels of economic growth during the past three decades have lifted almost 300 million people out of poverty. This amazing achievement has placed an increasing demand on energy and minerals, especially coal, which supplies 68.7 percent of China’s energy (June 2011). It is estimated that China mined more than 3 Gt (3.3 billion st) of coal in 2010, three times as much when compared to merely 10 years earlier. Such an impressive achievement does not come without major costs
