Mitigation of Methane in Mine Ventilation Air - 2006 Status Report

This report describes the findings of an assessment of options for the mitigation of methane in mine ventilation air. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with around 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Worldwide, methane is second only to carbon dioxide as a contributor to global warming. As methane emissions occur with coal mining operations, it is of significant concern to the coal industry.

There are two main sources of methane emissions from underground coal mining operations. Coal mine methane (or drainage methane) gas is released during mining operations. As it has a high concentration of methane it is easy to either flare or to utilise in a similar way to natural gas. Methane may also be released from underground coal mines from the mine ventilation air (MVA), where it may be present at concentration levels of generally less than 1%. The global emissions of methane from mine ventilation air is equivalent to 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (EPA, 2000). The mitigation of methane from the MVA is very challenging due to its high volume and low concentration.
ACARP engaged Connell Wagner to conduct this review of technology options for the mitigation of methane from mine ventilation air.