Sizhuang Coal Mine in Shizong County near Qujing City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

KUNMING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in southwest China's Yunnan Province have decided to limit the number of coal mines as the province speeds up phasing out outdated capacity.

According to a three-year work plan regarding the coal industry's development, by 2021, the number of coal mines will be limited to within 200.

Authorities are pushing for supply-side structural reform in the coal industry, with substandard collieries to be closed down to advance high-quality development of the industry.

According to the plan, this year, the output of raw coal should be within 48 million tonnes, with a total industrial output value of 42 billion yuan (6 billion U.S. dollars). By 2021, total raw coal output should be within 80 million tonnes, with a total industrial output value of 100 billion yuan.