The order by the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety this week comes in the wake of a mine flood in the southern province of Guangdong on Sunday August 7, which killed 123 miners.

The mines were ordered to improve conditions or face being permanently closed.

An administration spokesperson told China Daily the number of mines on the suspension list would reach 7000 soon. China has a total of about 24,000 coal mines.

Coal supply will not be affected by the closures.