Last coal mine to close, as greener future opens up

Beijing's last coal mine will shut before the end of this year, ending the city's reliance on the fossil fuel which stretches back more than 1,000 years.

The closure reflects the government's ongoing efforts to improve the environment for the public.

Located in Mentougou district in Beijing's southwest, the Datai coal mine belongs to the State-owned Jingmei Group, which started operations in 1948.

Historically, Mentougou has been a crucial coal supplier to Beijing. However, as the city has changed in recent years so too has the district, shifting from being an energy provider to an environmental conservation area.

More than 270 coal mines have been shut down in Mentougou over the past 20 years, according to the district authority.

"The district has invested 3 billion yuan ($428 million) in building urban parks, greenbelts and river landscapes in the past few years," said Zhang Libing, Party secretary of the district.

"We have planted flowers such as roses and marigolds along the roads and in mountain areas."