Chinese coal mining companies are closing for Lunar New Year , which workers would traditionally work through to meet peak holiday demand , to reduce pressure on the economy which is struggling with an excess supply of coal . China 's top coal producers , including Shenhua Group , China Coal Energy Group and the China Datong Coal Group , which account for about 20 % of domestic output , have signed a miners ' declaration to shut down production . * Miners typically expected to work to meet peak holiday demand By David Stanway BEIJING, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Although China is the world 's largest consumer of coal , rapid economic growth and a shift from fossil fuels to clean energy sources has created lower demand and resulted in significant overcapacity .
Chinese coal mining companies are closing for Lunar New Year , which workers would traditionally work through to meet peak holiday demand , to reduce pressure on the economy which is struggling with an excess supply of coal . China 's top coal producers , including Shenhua Group , China Coal Energy Group and the China Datong Coal Group , which account for about 20 % of domestic output , have signed a miners ' declaration to shut down production . Although China is the world 's largest consumer of coal , rapid economic growth and a shift from fossil fuels to clean energy sources has created lower demand and resulted in significant overcapacity .