Mine workers carry pipes to the entrance to the Wangjialing coal mine during rescue efforts on March 31. STORY HIGHLIGHTS- NEW: Authorities say 239 people were rescued
- Authorities say 17 more still trapped
- Blast comes after China moves to close many coal mines as part of a safety plan
(CNN) -- A gas explosion Saturday killed at least 20 workers and 17 more were trapped at a coal mine in central China, authorities said
China's State Administration of Work Safety said about 276 workers were underground in the mine in Henan province when the blast occurred.
Authorities were able to rescue 239 people.
The explosion comes after China announced this week that it had closed 1,355 small coal mines this year, according to Xinhua
The effort was part of a larger plan to restructure the mining industry to prevent deadly accidents and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, China's state-run media agency Xinhua reported, citing the National Energy Administration (NEA).
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- Mining Accidents and Disasters
China has one of the world's deadliest records for miners, with poor safety standards accounting for thousands of deaths each year.
According to the China Mining Association, the goal is to eventually boost the industry.
Small coal mines, which use outdated technology, will be replaced with larger coal mines, increasing capacity.
Davitt McAteer, former press secretary for the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, called the move a response to the consequences of China's "unmitigated economic growth."
"If you emphasize production so much ... and you fail to balance the needs of the individual with the needs of the community, you get all kinds of disasters in terms of health and environment," he said.
China is the largest global producer and consumer of coal, comprising 75 percent of China's total energy consumption.
Approximately 11,000 small coal mines are still in operation.
CNN's Eve Bower contributed to this report.