In an interview with China Daily, Zhao Tiechui, deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety, said 4150 workers have lost their lives in coal mining accidents this year.
The number of accidents to date is 2452.
Zhao said the six worst accidents up until September had claimed a total of 309 lives.
Despite the government's plea for coal miners to implement better workplace safety campaigns in recent years Zhao said there is still much to be done to make the industry safer in China.
"Small unlicensed coal mines are still the biggest headache and the key to preventing more accidents and death," Zhao said.
"The number of accidents and deaths caused by small coal mines have accounted for more than 70% of the total nationwide this year." MiningNews.net
