The Shanxi Coal Industry Bureau has passed a set of measures to boost the sluggish local coal market, the 21st Century Business Herald reported Thursday.

A staff member of Datong Coal Mine Group, a major State-owned coal company in North China's Shanxi Province, was quoted by the report as saying that the 17 measures are now waiting for the approval of higher authorities.

According to the report, the measures include the suspension of a deposit system for mine environmental restoration and control, the halting of levying fees for the coal sustainable development fund, and halving of the service charge for coal trading.

In July 2013, the Shanxi provincial government rolled out a set of 20 policies to help local coal companies ease or get rid of losses.

The current spot price for coal with heating value of 5,500 kilocalories per kilogram is 532 yuan per ton, falling from 600 yuan per ton in July 2013, said the report.

In the first quarter, Shanxi saw coal sales of 94.7 billion yuan, down 21.3 percent year-on-year, the Shanxi Daily reported on May 4.

Besides Shanxi, other regions where coal is also the pillar industry have also issued policies to save local coal firms from losses and overcapacity.

Given the oversupply, the net profit of major coal companies slumped 41.2 percent year-on-year to 32.32 billion yuan in the first quarter of this year, read data from the China National Coal Association.

There have also been reports that a ban on coal imports may be launched soon.