An Asian Bank loan of US$102 million will be used to curb air pollution in north China’s Shanxi Province, sources in the provincial capital said Thursday.

The loan, together with 609 million yuan (US$73.6 million), from the Chinese government, will facilitate gas and heating projects in the cities of Taiyuan, Datong and Yangquan.

The sources believe that the completion of these projects will greatly improve Shanxi’s air quality and the environment in general.

In addition, the Asian Bank has also provided US$700,000 to support research into how to improve air quality in the province.

Shanxi has long been bedeviled by serious air pollution caused by its heavy industries, such as coal mining.