China's coal mine safety regulator said a new phase of safety inspections for coal mines all over the country will last from late August to the end of September, Reuters reported Aug. 14, citing the National Coal Mine Safety Administration.

The inspections were prompted after concerns over safety conditions arose due to multiple fatal accidents mainly at small coal mines.

The safety inspectors are planning to crack down on illegal production and ask miners to prepare for major disasters such as gas explosions and floods.

Meanwhile, the inspectors will punish coal miners that are producing more than their approved capacity.

In mid-May, the safety regulator announced a coal production limit of 8 million tonnes per year for each mine that is considered to be at risk from "bumps," which occur when rock and coal erupt from the side of a mine shaft or tunnel under pressure from overhead rock.

China's Shanxi province in mid-June ordered an end to production or construction related to 82 coal mines following inspections that uncovered hidden dangers during the first five months.