Scoping Study on the Management and Abatement of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Australian black coal mining industry is a very significant component of the Australian economy. It was responsible for exports worth nearly $9 billion in 1997, about 10% of the value of total Australian exports and equivalent to 1% of the country's GDP (Industry Commission Report on the Australian Black Coal Industry, March 1998). It is the world's biggest coal exporter, a position which it is likely to maintain, although it is facing competition from China, Indonesia, South Africa and the USA. Exports are predicted to rise to over 300 Mt by 2010. Coal is also the fuel used to generate most of Australia's domestic electricity requirements.

The Australian Coal Association (ACA), on behalf of its members and in the spirit of the Australian Government's Greenhouse Challenge Program recently commissioned an independent scoping study on greenhouse gas emissions in the Australian black coal mining industry.,

The study was undertaken by CSIRO, Division of Coal and Energy Technology Research with inputs from CSIRO Division of Exploration and Mining and two selected consultants. This report documents the findings of the study which had the objective of providing the background required (including identification of information gaps and R&D needs) to guide the formulation of a strategy for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the mining beneficiation and handling of black coals in Australia.

The study was structured, in consultation with ACR, to address the following topics:

• The collection and critical review of available data on current greenhouse gas emissions from all sources associated with the current and previous mining of black coal in Australia.
• Strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the mining of black coals.
• Government policies and initiatives with regard to the implications for the Australian coal mining industry.
• The key performance indicators (KPIs) required to assess, on an ongoing basis, the effectiveness of initiatives taken for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the mining of black coals in Australia.
• The research and development needs and recommendations including relative priorities.