China Coal aims to double capex to fuel expansion

HONG KONG, April 10 (Reuters) - China Coal Energy Co (1898.HK) (601898.SS), the country's No. 2 coal producer, plans to more than double capital spending in 2008 as it pushes a rapid production expansion plan.

Executive Director Yang Lieke told reporters on Thursday the firm intends to set aside 16.16 billion yuan ($2.31 billion) to spend on its core coal and coal chemicals businesses this year, versus 7.14 billion yuan in 2007.

The firm and bigger rival Shenhua Energy (1088.HK) (601088.SS) are ramping up output at a rapid clip to feed the world's largest market for the hydrocarbon.

China Coal has said it planned to raise annual output by 15 million tonnes a year until 2010 to power roaring economic expansion. ($1=6.991 Yuan) (Reporting by Nao Nakanishi; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree)