BEIJING -

* China's National Energy Administration has approved the expansion of capacity at two open-pit coal mines in the far western region of Xinjiang to 3 million tonnes a year each, up from 2 million tonnes a year, the administration said on Tuesday.

* Expansion of the two mines, both in Hami city, is aimed at optimising the structure of the coal industry, it said.

(Reporting by Lusha Zhang and Tom Daly Editing by David Goodman ) ((judy.hua@thomsonreuters.com; 8610-6627 1297; Reuters Messaging: judy.hua.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))