During China's 100-day campaign on work safety, 2.88 million companies spent 12.47 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion) fixing potential work perils, as mine disasters and other work safety issues continued to plague the country.

According to the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS), a total of 4.01 million hidden troubles were revealed, and 3.68 million among them had already been fixed as of this June.

Among 114,000 "significant" ones, 102,000 had been fixed.

SAWS's campaign began this April when inspections took place in thigh-risk industries, such as coal mines and building sites in 17 provinces.

As of June, more than 2,879,000 manufacturers had been involved.

"Checking these hidden work perils is a long-term task. It needs persistent cooperation," said SAWS deputy director Liang Jiakun.

In the latest coal mine accident in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday, seven were killed while 29 are still trapped inside a flooded pit.

Hydrological experts have been examining whether the source of the flooded water was connected to a nearby waterway.

The mine has estimated reserves of 2.98 million tons of coal and can produce 190,000 tons annually. It is fully certified.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2008)