Context
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). The 100-year global warming potential of methane is 25 times higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO2). Measured over a 20-year period, that number goes up to 84, and on an instantaneous basis the figure reaches 120. Methane global atmospheric concentrations have grown nearly 150% from pre-industrial levels and are currently responsible for about a third of the planetary warming.
About 60% of global methane emissions are a result of human activities such as extraction and use of fossil fuels, agriculture, landfills, and wastewater treatment. Fossil fuel production, distribution and use are estimated to emit 110 million tons of methane annually, which accounts for approx. 30% of anthropogenic methane emissions.
Coal and methane are co-located resources in many parts of the world. As a result, in those places coal mining related activities, such as extraction, crushing, distribution, and the like lead to the release of a substantial amount of methane trapped in coal. Methane can be emitted from active underground and surface mines, as well as from abandoned mines and undeveloped coal seams. Key coal producing nations emit over 52.5 billion cubic meters of methane per annum. Much of this amount is emitted in low concentrations mixed with air known as Ventilation Air Methane or VAM.
Unlike other GHGs, methane can be converted to usable energy. Capturing and using methane offers opportunities to generate clean energy and mitigate global climate change. In addition, reducing methane emissions offers also significant health benefits by improving local air quality. Technologies for capturing and using methane are readily available in every sector, including coal mining.
Event
In that context, the UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane (CMM) and Just Transition together with the International Centres of Excellence on CMM operating under its auspices and with its international Partners such as the Clean Air Task Force have been working for decades to support States and the coal industry in effective coal mine methane monitoring, capture, and use.
The workshop in Katowice was directed to policy makers and practitioners working in the fields of methane management and coal mining. It provided a platform for exchanging experience among international stakeholders and thus gave an opportunity for finding best solutions to the problems and challenges that they encounter in their work. It also touched upon the problems related to mine closure and repurposing and discussed the provisions of the EU methane regulation with the aim to identify challenges that its implementation might pose to the Member States.
Highlights
National Coal Mine Methane (CMM) situation
Coal mine methane (CMM) management varies significantly across countries, reflecting different stages of development and challenges. Bosnia and Herzegovina has set ambitious GHG reduction targets for 2030 and 2050, while Serbia's nine underground mines lack systematic CMM capture systems. The Czech Republic has seen substantial declines in mining activity since 2010 but has established extensive degassing infrastructure with over 800 boreholes. Despite war-related challenges, Ukraine has reduced methane emissions and maintains its carbon neutrality commitment for 2050. China has achieved significant progress in CMM management over two decades, though utilizing low-concentration ventilation air methane remains challenging. Similar situation is in Poland, where JSW faces technical challenges in implementing ventilation air methane utilization projects due to low methane concentrations and high airflows.
Technological Developments
The field of CMM management continues to advance through innovative solutions. Notable achievements include Biothermica's VAMOX® technology, which successfully manages variable methane concentrations across 3 U.S. installations, and Dürr's RTO systems, delivering high methane destruction efficiencies in projects across China, South Africa, and South Korea. The field has also seen significant progress in monitoring capabilities, with new satellite systems being developed and laser-based TDLAS technology being tested in Polish mines, enhancing the ability to detect and measure methane emissions more accurately.
EU Methane Regulation
The European Union's new methane regulation represents a landmark legislative framework for managing methane emissions in the energy sector, marking the first comprehensive approach to this challenge. The regulation introduces stringent requirements, including mandatory continuous monitoring and reporting protocols, and notably prohibits methane venting through ventilation shafts with a phased implementation between 2027 and 2031. Its scope is broad, encompassing both operational and abandoned coal mines, and extending its influence beyond EU borders by establishing requirements for coal importers.
Mine closure and repurposing
Mine closure strategy has transformed from simple decommissioning towards viewing mining sites as valuable platforms for sustainable development. This shift is exemplified by the World Bank's "Just Coal Transition Framework" and "LURA" tool, which support comprehensive and sustainable transition planning. While challenges persist, as seen in Germany's experience with mine flooding and methane migration, there's growing recognition of post-mining sites' unique advantages, including access to mine water, established grid connections, and waste heaps suitable for renewable energy and circular economy projects. This transformation represents a fundamental change from short-term closure strategies to long-term approaches focused on sustainable local economic development and green job creation.
Key Challenges
The sector faces several interconnected challenges in implementing effective methane management. The economic viability of methane capture projects remains problematic without supplementary revenue streams, while utilizing very low-concentration methane from ventilation air presents significant technical hurdles. Monitoring requirements, especially of abandoned mines at difficult locations, pose particular difficulties and are further complicated by the high costs of necessary equipment and processes. Legal frameworks often lack clarity regarding responsibilities and ownership of abandoned mines, creating uncertainty in long-term management. These technical and administrative challenges are compounded by the need to balance environmental objectives with social responsibilities, particularly in mining-dependent communities.