Xinda Securities·2025-07-22 13:31Core Insights - The report highlights a significant decline in coal production in China's central and eastern regions, with projections indicating a potential exit of approximately 700 million tons of production by 2035, particularly in Shanxi province, which is expected to see the most pronounced decrease [3][4] - The shift in China's coal production focus from the central to the western regions is evident, with the share of production from the central and eastern regions (including Northeast) decreasing by 26% since 2004 [3] - The report emphasizes the limited economically extractable coal reserves in China, with confirmed and credible reserves totaling 2,185.7 billion tons as of the end of 2023, suggesting a potential extraction period of only about 30 years at the current production rate [3][12] Section Summaries 1. Limited Economically Extractable Coal Reserves - China's coal resources are abundant, but the economically extractable reserves are relatively scarce, with a significant portion of reserves located in the western regions [12][13] - The distribution of coal reserves is uneven, with the western regions holding approximately 66% of the total reserves, while the central and eastern regions account for only 28% and 6%, respectively [22][25] - The development of coal reserves in the central and eastern regions faces increasing challenges due to various factors, including deeper mining depths and ecological constraints [33] 2. Declining Coal Production in Central and Eastern Regions - The lifecycle of coal mines typically exhibits a pattern of initial ramp-up, stable production, and a sharp decline in later stages, with the central region's production expected to decrease significantly [2][4] - New coal mines are predominantly being established in the western regions, indicating limited potential for resource development in the central and eastern areas [4][5] - The report notes that the production capacity in key mining areas is rapidly depleting, with challenges in capacity succession becoming more pronounced [4][5] 3. Assessment of Decline Trends and Impacts - The central region, particularly Shanxi, is projected to see an accelerated decline in coal production, with an estimated exit of around 700 million tons by 2035 [4][5] - The report identifies that the consumption rate of coal resources in core mining areas is high, leading to challenges in maintaining production capacity [4][5] - The market for coal mining rights is becoming increasingly competitive, with state-owned enterprises facing structural disadvantages in resource acquisition [4][5] 4. Investment Recommendations - In light of the declining coal production trends in the central and eastern regions, the report suggests focusing on companies with long service life and abundant coal resources in these areas, such as Xinjie Energy and Huaibei Mining [4] - Companies with resources in the Jinshan-Mongolia region or those prioritizing resource acquisition in western Xinjiang are also recommended, including China Shenhua and Shaanxi Coal [4] - The report highlights the potential for asset injections from state-owned enterprises, suggesting that companies like Yanzhou Coal and China Shenhua may benefit from such developments [4]