In this regard, Kim Jong Nam, department director of the Ministry of Coal Industry, told KCNA:

This year, the ministry is to concentrate its efforts on securing more coal beds by giving priority to prospecting and tunneling, and developing new coal mines and pits.

Prospective tunneling is now going on in promising areas of February 8 Jikdong Youth and Chonsong Youth coal mines under the Sunchon Area Youth Coal Mining Complex.

Tukjang and Kaechon area coal mining complexes are vigorously making preparations to build new coal mines, while collieries in the Tokchon area are pushing ahead with a work to secure new coal beds with large deposit.