Beijing said mines forced to close for safety reasons after the tremor should strive to resume operation as soon as possible, but making sure there was no danger to life, Xinhua said.

It said that inspections should be stepped up to prevent flooding as the China Meteorological Administration warned of heavy rainstorms in the south.

The call follows an announcement last week by the administration for coal-producing provinces to step up output as quake-hit areas ran low.

China's coal industry has been under stress due to coal shortages this year, a situation worsened by the May 12 quake, which struck in the southwest and damaged a "considerable" number of hydropower stations, Xinhua said.

Amid signs coal was running low, China's state-owned electrical utilities were told to ensure there would be reliable supplies for the Olympics and for earthquake reconstruction, according the Xinhua.

Last month's quake left more than 69,000 people dead and more than 17,500 missing, according to the latest figures.

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