The National Energy Administration set plans for the construction of more coal mines in West China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), Shanghai Securities News reported Friday.

Related readings:  CNCA: Coal production up  Major coal production base terminates 'small colliery' era

Work in Inner Mongolia will account for 26 percent of new coal mine construction nationwide. The construction of large-scale open pit mines will also be a priority, the newspaper reported.

By 2015 coal production will reach 3.79 billion tons, an increase of 550 million tons since 2010, according to the report.