A devastating gas explosion at a coal mine in China's Shanxi province has claimed the lives of at least 90 people, making it the country's deadliest mining accident in recent years.

The $30 million mine with a history of danger

The Liushenyu coal mine, operateed by the Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group, was placed on a national list of disaster-prone coal mines by China's National Mine Safety Administration in 2024 due to its high gas content.

The mine's troubled past raises questions about the effectiveness of China's mine safety regulations and the government's commitment to protecting its citizens.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

The explosion at the Liushenyu mine is the latest in a series of deadly accidents to hit China's coal mining industry, which has been plagued by concerns over safety and environmental impact.

In 2022, Shanxi province's hundreds of thousands of miners dug 1.3 billion tons of coal, accounting for almost a third of China's total.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, with Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for a thorough probe and accountability pursued in accordance with the law.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform, with many questioning the government's ability to ensure the safety of its citizens in the face of growing economic pressures.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

The Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group's May filing highlighted concerns over the mine's safety record, with auditors flagging issues related to gas content and ventilation.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of China's addiction to coal and the need for a more sustainable and responsible approach to energy production.