Source: IANS

Beijing, Feb 18 (IANS) Chinese authorities have halted operations of hundreds of illegal coalmines in the country's resource-rich Inner Mongolia region, officials said Saturday.

About 9,000 mines were checked as part of an investigation. A total of 467 mines were ordered to halt operations, while 73 mines were permanently closed.

The government had ordered the safety watchdogs to strengthen supervision of coalmines to ensure workers' safety and protection of the environment, China Daily reported.

Inner Mongolia holds the country's largest coal reserves -- estimated at 770.3 billion tonnes. It also has rich deposit of iron ore and rare earth metals.

A mining boom in recent years has brought prosperity to the region but concerns have been raised on the ecological damage.