China plans to make more efficient use of ground water that seeps into the country's mines over the next four years, according to a report from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The report requires utilization of mine water to increase from the current 26 percent to 70 percent in 2010.

Governments at all levels should give support to technological research into more efficient use of mine water and encourage investment in mine water utilization projects, says the report.

A total of 4.2 billion cubic meters of water seep into the country's mines every year.

Mine water can be used for drinking, irrigation and cooling power plants once it is filtered and purified.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2007)