Recently, the National Energy Administration issued the "Opinions on Accelerating the High-Quality Development of Coal Washing and Processing" (National Energy Administration Coal [2025] No. 86, hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"). To ensure the effective implementation of the "Opinions," a reporter interviewed relevant officials from the Coal Department of the National Energy Administration.
Q: What is the background to the issuance of the "Opinions"?
A: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made arrangements for strengthening the clean and efficient utilization of coal. In July this year, during his inspection tour in Shanxi, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to promote the coal industry from low-end to high-end and coal products from primary fuels to high-value products, providing important guidance for doing a good job in coal washing and processing. Coal washing and processing is a crucial link in the development and utilization of coal resources, and it is of great significance for improving the quality of marketable coal, reducing inefficient transportation, and enhancing the level of clean coal utilization. Nationwide, coal washing and processing has a solid technical and management foundation, and its intelligent development has broad prospects. However, some regions also face problems such as the coexistence of advanced and outdated production capacity, low levels of clean production, and insufficient utilization of coal gangue. Further regulation and guidance are needed to achieve higher-level development. To accelerate the high-quality development of coal washing and processing, further deepen the clean and efficient utilization of coal, and promote the green and low-carbon transformation of energy, the National Energy Administration has issued the "Opinions."
Q: What are the overall requirements of the "Opinions"?
A: The "Opinions" are guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy, deeply practice the new energy security strategy of "four revolutions and one cooperation", take pollution reduction and carbon reduction and green development as the main line, take scientific and technological progress and independent innovation as the driving force, take policy support and standard guidance as the guarantee, adhere to systematic advancement and classified policies, and strive to improve the comprehensive benefits of coal development. The "Opinions" propose that by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, coal washing facilities will meet the needs of raw coal beneficiation at a high level, the structure of coal washing capacity will be continuously optimized, significant progress will be made in the construction of intelligent coal sorting plants, dry coal sorting technology will be gradually promoted and applied, the raw coal beneficiation rate will be steadily improved, and the connection between upstream and downstream coal products will be smoother, providing important support for promoting the clean and efficient utilization of coal.
Q: What are the key tasks outlined in the "Opinions"?
The "Opinions" focus on aspects such as coal washing capacity structure, technology, standards and regulations, and operation and management, and propose seven key tasks.
First, promote the upgrading and elimination of inferior coal washing capacity. Strengthen the planning and construction of coal washing capacity, specifying clear requirements for planning and constructing advanced washing capacity from the overall mining area planning to the completion and acceptance of coal mine projects, promoting the upgrading and transformation of existing coal sorting plants (facilities), and eliminating outdated washing capacity.
Second, strengthen the intelligent construction of coal sorting plants. New coal sorting plants should, in principle, be built according to intelligent standards. Existing coal sorting plants are encouraged to gradually carry out intelligent transformation, and pilot projects for intelligent technology upgrades of coal sorting plants should be conducted to promote the formation of a replicable and scalable intelligent construction and normalized operation model for coal sorting plants.
Third, rationally select coal sorting processes. Strengthen technical and economic comparisons, rationally determine coal sorting methods such as jigging, heavy media, flotation, and dry separation, improve the separation capacity and effect of easily weathered and muddy coals such as lignite, develop complete sets of dry coal sorting equipment adapted to different coal types, and actively promote dry coal sorting processes according to local conditions.
Fourth, improve clean and efficient production levels. Dust suppression, noise reduction, and vibration reduction measures will be implemented at all stages of coal sorting. Closed-loop transportation methods such as corridors and pipelines will be adopted, and closed-loop circulation of water used for coal washing will be implemented. Open-air storage of coal and coal gangue will be prohibited. Stricter group or enterprise standards will be promoted to improve energy conservation and carbon reduction levels in coal sorting.
Fifth, promote the reduction and utilization of coal washing waste. It requires that the application reports for new and expanded coal mines (including supporting coal sorting plants) include comprehensive utilization and treatment plans for coal gangue, promote the implementation of underground (pit) sorting, backfilling mining, and overburden separation grouting technologies to treat coal gangue, reduce surface emissions, and support the large-scale utilization of coal gangue resources such as power generation, land reclamation, and backfilling.
Sixth, improve the level of coal washing and processing management. Encourage coal enterprises to establish specialized coal washing institutions, develop third-party coal washing services, give full play to the role of market mechanisms, adhere to the principle of high quality and high price, improve the level of customized coal washing and processing, and provide differentiated and high-value coal products that meet demand.
Seventh, strengthen scientific and technological research and pilot applications. Research and develop large-scale, high-efficiency coal sorting equipment and intelligent control technologies to improve the operational stability of coal sorting equipment, refine the theoretical system of dry coal sorting, increase the promotion of advanced technologies and equipment, and encourage the training of innovative talents in coal sorting.
Q: How to ensure the implementation of the "Opinions"?
Next, the National Energy Administration will strengthen organization, coordination, and dissemination to promote the improvement of the coal washing policy and standard system and coordinate solutions to major problems encountered in the process. Provincial coal industry management departments should establish a baseline of their local coal washing capacity, improve the statistical scheduling system for key technical indicators of coal washing, and refine policy measures based on local conditions. Key coal enterprises, especially central enterprises, should play a leading role in promoting innovation in coal washing technology and management models. Relevant industry associations should play a bridging role, promote the exchange and mutual learning of advanced washing and beneficiation technologies and management models, and strive to form a working synergy of national overall planning and implementation, local and enterprise implementation, and collaborative support from research institutes and industry associations, so as to ensure that all tasks are implemented effectively and achieve tangible results.
October 17, 2025
(Source: National Energy Administration website)