According to data available at the Ministry of Coal Industry, tunneling speed and coal output increased by 3 percent and 5 percent respectively until mid-September this year as compared with the same period of last year.

Hundreds of preparatory cutting faces have been secured throughout the country.

The Tokchon Area Coal-mining Complex carried out the coal turnout at 111 percent.

Toksong and other coal mines in Tokchon area raised their production by 16 percent with introduction of rapid tunneling and rational blasting methods.

The February 8 Jikdong Youth Coal Mine under the Sunchon Area Youth Coal Mining Complex swelled the coal yield at 109 percent, keeping mining equipment at full-capacity operation.

Similar achievements were also reported from coal mines in northern part of the country. The Soksong Coal Mine under the Myongchon Area Coal-mining Complex turned out a large quantity of coal needed for the chemical industry.