The Mining of Coal
China is known to be the country most rich in coal deposits, yet her
coal fields are scarcely scratched. The output of coal in the United
States is about six hundred million tons a year. If China is equally
developed she should, according to the proportion of her population,
have an output of four times as much coal as the United States. This
will be the possibility of coal mining in China which the International
Development Organization is to undertake. As coal deposits are found
in great quantities in certain areas so its output can be estimated
quite accurately beforehand. Thus, the risk is of no consideration and
the profit is sure. But as coal is a necessity of civilized community
and the sinews of modern industries, the principal object for mining
should not be for profit alone, but for supplying the needs of mankind.
After the payment of interest and capital of the foreign loans for
its development, and the securing of high wages for the miners, the
price of coal should be reduced as low as possible so as to meet the
demands of the public as well as to give impetus to the development of
various industries. I suggest that besides the mining of coal for the
iron and steel works, a plan for producing two hundred million tons
of coal a year for other uses should be formed at the start. Mines
should be opened along the seaboard and navigable rivers. As Europe is
now seeking coal from China this amount will not be over-production
from the beginning. A few years later when the industries of China
will be more developed more coal will be needed. How much capital will
be required and what mines are to be worked, have to be submitted to
scientific investigation under expert direction.
Besides coal mining, the coal products industry must be developed under
the same management. This is a new industry without any competition and
has an unlimited market in China. Great profits will be assured on the
capital invested.