Chinese authorities have permitted the resumption of operations of its previously shuttered coal mines as the demand for power grapples the country.

Policymakers are now attempting to find the balance to achieve China's climate goals.

The move comes as China strives to moderate thermal coal prices, which have risen by about a third this year. It had also reached a new high in May, owing to supply problems and rising demand caused by excessive summer heat and a resurgence in industrial productivity.

According to a National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) statement, operations would resume for a year at 15 coal mines in northern provinces including Shanxi and the Xinjiang area, providing up to 44 million tons of coal.

The reopening of 38 coal mines in Inner Mongolia was announced by authorities last week.

In July, Chinese lawmakers proposed reducing tough emission-cutting measures as the country strives to meet power demand while maintaining growth.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that members of the Politburo have urged for a unified, orderly approach to achieving carbon neutrality.

On Wednesday, the NDRC announced that it has issued a notice allowing coal mine trial operations to be extended - in principle by one year - when their trials expire.

The notice, issued in collaboration with the National Energy Administration, also urges local government agencies to guide and support firms in order to expedite mining license applications and authorize qualifying coal mines for trial operations.

China instructed producers to increase output in May to meet peak summer demand, which appears to be stabilizing commodities prices, which had reached record highs this year.

China has high ambitions for reducing carbon emissions, but it will not forsake coal power anytime soon as it remains focused on economic goals.

President Xi Jinping stated in September that the country's carbon emissions will begin to decrease by 2030, and that the government would achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 - in four decades.

Meanwhile, authorities are emphasizing that economic growth remains a primary priority - and that growth is heavily reliant on coal power.

Although coal is abundantly available, experts believe that renewable energy should be developed further in China.