Environment

China orders coalmines to raise coal production to address power crunch

Chinese officials have ordered more than 70 mines in Inner Mongolia to increase coal production by almost 100m tonnes, with the country battling its worst power crunch and coal shortages in years.

The move is the latest attempt by Chinese authorities to boost coal supply amid record high prices and shortages of electricity that have led to power rationing across the country, crippling industrial output.

The proposed increase would make up almost 3% of China’s total thermal coal consumption. In an urgent notice dated 7 October, the Inner Mongolia regional energy department asked the cities of Wuhai, Ordos and Hulunbuir, as well as Xilingol League, to notify 72 mines that they may operate at stipulated higher capacities immediately, provided they ensure safe production.

An official with the region’s energy bureau confirmed the notice but declined to say how long the production boost would be allowed to last.

The notice came after a meeting on the same day during which the regional authorities mapped out measures for winter energy supplies in response to mandates from China’s state council, or cabinet, the state-run Inner Mongolia Daily reported.

“The (government’s) coal taskforce shall urge miners to raise output with no compromise, while the power task team shall have the generating firms guarantee meeting the winter electricity and heating demand,” the newspaper said.

A Beijing-based trader, who estimated the production boost may take up to two to three months to materialise, said: “This demonstrates the government is serious about raising local coal production to ease the shortage.”

The 72 mines listed by the Inner Mongolia energy bureau, most of which are open pits, had previously authorised annual capacity of 178.45m tonnes. The notice proposed they increase their production capacity by 98.35m tonnes combined, according to Reuters calculations.

“It will help alleviate the coal shortage but cannot eliminate the issue,” said Lara Dong, a senior director with IHS Markit. “The government will still need to apply power rationing to ensure the balancing of the coal and power markets over the winter,” she said.

Inner Mongolia is China’s second biggest coal-producing region, churning out just over 1bn tonnes in 2020 and accounting for more than a quarter of the national total, official data shows.

However, that output was down 8% in 2020 and was falling every month from April through July this year, partly because of an anti-corruption investigation initiated last year by Beijing targeting the coal sector, which led to lower production as miners were banned from producing above approved capacity.

The neighbouring Shanxi province, China’s biggest coal region, had to close 27 coalmines this week because of flooding.

Coal inventories at major Chinese ports were at 52.34m tonnes in late September before a week-long national holiday that started on 1 October, down 18% from the same period last year, data compiled by the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association showed.

Meanwhile, coal consumption is climbing as north-eastern China has kicked off the winter heating season, with major power plants having stockpiles for about 10 days of use, down from more than 20 days last year.

To ensure power and heating supply to residential users, China has reopened dozens of other mines and approved several new ones.

The government has also called for “appropriately” raising coal imports to levels on a par with last year, analysts said, after imports fell almost 10% in the first eight months.

Environment

NiMet predicts dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has predicted dust haze from Thursday to Saturday across Nigeria.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Wednesday in Abuja envisaged a slight dust haze on Thursday in good visibility throughout the forecast period in the northern region.

The agency said that North central states are expected to experience slight dust haze in good visibility throughout the forecast period.

It envisaged moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period in the southern parts of the country.

According to it, early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas are expected.

For Thursday, NiMet said a slight dust haze is expected throughout the forecast period in the northern region.

It added that the North central region should be in a slight dust haze throughout the forecast period.

It further stated that in the South, moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected throughout the forecast period.

The agency predicted moderate dust haze in the northern region on Friday with visibility range of 2km to 5km throughout the forecast period.

According to NiMet, the North Central should be in moderate dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km during the forecast period.

It envisaged early morning fog or mist over the coastal areas of the country while slight dust haze in patches of clouds are expected over the region during the afternoon and evening periods.

NiMet added that dust particles are in suspension and the public should take necessary precaution.

It advised airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from it for effective planning

Environment

NEMA warns against bush burning in Harmattan period

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned members of the public against bush burning during the harmattan period to avoid the destruction of property and loss of life.

DAILY POST reports that the NEMA Head of Operations, Edo Office, Ojuedene Kenoma, gave the warning at the training of officials of local governments and volunteers in Edo State on disaster prevention, response, and control measures.

Kenoma said the training was aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, response, and recovery at the grassroots level.

He opined that disasters such as tanker accidents, fire outbreaks, or other emergencies do not wait for the opportune moment.

“It is essential that “we foster a culture of preparedness, awareness, and response across every level of society, especially at the grassroots level.”

“This workshop is a critical step toward empowering our communities with the knowledge and tools they need to respond to disasters.”

“By training and mobilising volunteers within these communities, our Director-General Zubaida Umar is building a network of emergency responders who can take swift and effective action when emergencies arise.”

“The workshop is aimed at raising public awareness, particularly around the high risks associated with tanker accidents and fire outbreaks, both of which present significant challenges in Edo State,” he said.

He further explained that NEMA is taking disaster management to the grassroots by training local government officials and volunteers at the grassroots level.

He added that the agency expects the participants to cascade the training down to the grassroots and sensitise the local population on how to prevent and respond to fire incidents.

One of the resource persons, Superintendent Asimu Sumaila, in his lecture that safety is everybody’s responsibility and that the knowledge of fire one has determines the chance of survival when it happens.

Sumaila explained that 80 per cent of fire incidents happen as a result of carelessness and negligence by individuals.

He said that in fighting fire disasters, one has to know the right solution to use, as using the wrong solution can create more problems.

He stated that the solution to extinguish ordinary fire is different from PMS (petrol) fire.

“Most people leave their houses without removing appliances from the socket or turning them off, and while burning refuse, people will not be there to control it. The embers from that fire can flow in different directions and ignite fires elsewhere,” he said.

He, however, cautioned the people against leaving their appliances on when leaving home and against bush burning, especially near residential areas, as it can destroy houses and result in loss of lives.

Environment

NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine and dust haze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted weather conditions featuring sunshine, dust haze, and isolated thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook, NiMet predicted slight dust haze for the northern region on Monday, with localized visibility expected to range from 2 to 5 kilometers throughout the day.

The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with a hazy atmosphere, while the southern region will see sunny skies with patches of clouds. Thunderstorms and light rains are anticipated in parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states during the afternoon and evening hours.

On Tuesday, November 26, moderate dust haze is forecasted for the northern region, with localized visibility potentially dropping below 1,000 meters. Slight dust haze is expected in the North Central region, while the southern region is likely to experience sunny skies with scattered clouds. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms, accompanied by light rains, are expected in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

NiMet’s outlook for Wednesday, November 27, indicates continued moderate dust haze in the northern region, with localized visibility below 1,000 meters. The North Central region will experience slight dust haze, with visibility between 2 to 5 kilometers. The southern region is forecasted to have sunny skies with patches of clouds and potential thunderstorms with light rains in parts of Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency cautioned the public about suspended dust particles and advised individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to take precautions during this period.

NiMet also warned of strong winds potentially accompanying thunderstorms in some areas, urging residents to stay safe and adhere to weather advisories.

Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning.