Successful climate change mitigation will require action on a global scale and in particular will require massive investment in new technology, research and development. SCC has mobilised its global resources to promote the development and implementation of new technologies in mitigation of Coal Mine Methane emissions and it has concentrated its efforts where emissions are the greatest.

Methane is a major safety problem for mines, as well as representing a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and lost value for mine owners. The CDM aims to promote real and sustainable reductions of greenhouse gas emissions of which methane is a major contributor with an impact 21 times greater than carbon dioxide. Coal mining is a major source of global methane emissions and China is the world’s largest coal producer, mining almost 9 times more coal from underground longwalls than the USA – the second largest coal producer in the world. China emits over 43% of the global methane released by coal mining and this could rise to more than 50% by 2020 representing 450Mt CO2e. At best, conventional approaches will mitigate 15% of this amount. More than 70% of methane released by coal mining is diluted to safe, low concentrations (generally <1%) by ventilation air. This Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) does not lend itself to useful applications but represents a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawing on its strengths, SCC has developed a near-zero methane emissions coal mining strategy which can be widely replicated to achieve significantly greater reductions. Our Coal Mine Methane Group finances and implements Coal Mine Methane capture, utilisation and destruction projects worldwide. In addition, SCC has global rights to a proprietary VAM destruction technology that is able to destroy a high proportion of methane emissions from this source.

SCC believes that its holistic approach of maximising gas capture, optimising utilisation of drained gas, flaring of surplus methane and destruction of VAM at the surface exhaust fans will ultimately facilitate near-zero methane emissions coal mining. These projects qualify for Carbon Credits under the Kyoto Mechanisms and Voluntary schemes.

SCC’s project strategy

SCC recognises the international imperative of accelerating reductions in greenhouse emissions and the global importance of coal mining as an emissions source. It is therefore mobilising investment both financially and in human resources to help address the problem through CDM and JI-supported activities to assist working underground coal mines progress towards near-zero methane emissions mining by:

• Maximising gas capture in methane drainage systems
• Optimising utilisation of drained gas, including waste heat from power generation where feasible
• Thermal destruction of surplus drained methane
• Abatement of the low concentration methane from exhausted ventilation air which accounts for 70-80% of the methane emitted by coal mining
• Safer and more efficient coal mining operations

The SCC concept sets greenhouse gas emission reductions as an absolute priority. Although optimisation of energy recovery is a principal objective, prioritising energy recovery will not lead to the emission reductions needed for a sustainable coal mining industry.

SCC’s near-zero methane emissions mining strategy can be applied worldwide
How do CDM project owners benefit from working with SCC?

SCC provides project owners with:

• Attractive commercial terms at low risk
• A gas drainage audit report which provides recommendations and assistance in enhancing gas capture and quality
• Technology transfer and training
• Full technical support during project implementation to ensure project delivery and maximisation of emission reductions
• Priority allocation of new and innovative mitigation technologies developed by SCC
• Generation of electricity & heat, often in areas of unreliable supply
• Creation of additional revenue streams by selling Carbon Credits and electricity