The Shanxi government is calling for mergers and consolidation activities in the coal industry across the province, participated by such coal related industries as power, metallurgy and chemicals in a bid to reverse the infamous image of its local coal industry – too many producers, small size of each producer and a fragmented layout. According to a plan, the province’s five largest state-run coal producers each will be responsible for integrating no less than 100 local mines with an aim to reduce the number of coal mines to 1,000 with the output of a single mine reaching more than 900,000 tons per year by the end of next year.