Yangquan Coal Industry Group, based in Yangquan city in Shanxi province, will increase its annual coal output to 100 million metric tons in the next few years -- a major capacity expansion -- according to a company spokesman. 

That follows the green light for two new coal mines -- each with annual capacity of 5 million tons -- given by the National Development and Reform Commission. 

Together with a 6-million-ton coal mine project in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and a 5-million-ton colliery in Xishangzhuang village in Yangquan city, the four new coal mines are expected to go into operation before 2022 -- adding 21 million tons of coal production capacity each year. 

Apart from constructing new coal mines, Yangquan Coal Industry Group has been advancing 10 transformation projects so as to improve the production of its existing coal mines by 17.8 million tons per year by 2020. 

The group has been stabilizing its coal production, developing advanced production capacity and forming what it calls a safe, green and intelligent coal mining model -- while advancing new projects and upgrading old collieries.

A spokesman said it has been boosting its treatment of industrial waste, promoting water cycling and zero emissions and its industrialization of coalbed methane. This was to realize the transformation its waste into products and lead to its green development. 

Meanwhile, the group has cooperated with China Mobile Communications Group and Huawei Technologies Co on developing intelligent coal mining projects based on 5G technology. 

Currently, technology drives an estimated 84 percent of its annual production, according to a director of the company.