Coal Mines
- Technical Subcommittee Contacts »
- Project Network Members »
- Project Ideas »
- Ongoing Projects »
- Outreach Material
- Subcommittee Documents
- Coal Mine Country Profiles and Global Projects Database
- Case Studies, Analyses, and Reports
- Useful Links
- Conferences and Events »
Removing fugitive methane gas from underground coal mines and using it in profitable and practical ways can improve worker safety, enhance mine productivity, increase revenues, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Methane to Markets Partnership is fostering international collaboration to advance methane capture and use projects that bring more gas to market.
To learn more, review the background information on the recovery and use of methane from coal mines.
With many Partners and Project Network members involved, the Coal Mine Technical Subcommittee is leading the Partnership’s efforts to reduce methane emissions from coal mining.
The subcommittee has developed an Action Plan (PDF, 14 pp., 181 KB, About PDF) to focus on key technologies, market assessment, country-specific needs, and cooperative opportunities.
Outreach Material
- Methane to Markets Coal Mines Fact Sheet(September 2006)
Subcommittee Documents
- Document 1: Description of Country-Specific Strategies (PDF, 7 pp., 57 KB) justifies the need to develop these strategies and describes a set of core activities to promote CMM projects.
- Document 2: Guidance for Developing Country-Specific Strategies (PDF, 12 pp., 170 KB) offers a step-by-step process that could assist Partner countries to create effective country-specific strategies.
- Document 3: Description of Country-Specific Strategies (PDF, 5 pp., 248 KB) is an example of a country-specific strategy overview or summary for a fictional country named Country X and should be used in conjunction with Document 2.
- Annex to Document 2 (Word, 7 pp., 605 KB) displays five tables in Microsoft Word that can be edited and incorporated into individual country-specific strategies.
- Plan to Solicit Feedback (PDF, 1 pp., 31 KB) outlines how the Coal Subcommittee will collect relevant input on developing country-specific strategies.
- Minutes (PDF, 17 pp., 140 KB) for Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting on 1 November 2007 in Beijing, China.
- Coal Subcommittee Agenda (PDF, 2 pp., 33 KB) for the Coal Mine Subcommittee meeting on 1 November 2007 in Beijing China.
- Minutes (PDF, 6 pp., 59 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Conference Call (20 September 2007) regarding Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting in Beijing.
- Minutes (PDF, 48 pp., 2.66 MB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (April 2007), in Geneva, Switzerland
- Methane to Markets 2007 Expo Preliminary Assessment Template (DOC, 6 pp., 328KB) and Detailed Assessment Template (DOC, 12 pp., 403KB)
- Minutes (PDF, 25 pp., 330 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (October 2006), in Brisbane, Australia
- Minutes (PDF, 6 pp., 150 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Conference Call and Web cast (September 2006)
- Flaring Coal Mine Methane: Draft Policy White paper (PDF, 3 pp., 42KB) (August 2006)
- Action Plan: Coal Mine Subcommittee (PDF, 14 pp., 181 KB) (May 2006)
- Minutes (PDF, 28 pp., 352 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (May 2006)
- Action Plan: Coal Mine Subcommittee (PDF, 10 pp., 160 KB) (December 2005)
- Minutes (PDF, 20 pp., 296 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (November 2005)
- Action Plan: Coal Mine Subcommittee (PDF, 6 pp., 218 KB) (August 2005)
- Minutes (PDF, 15 pp., 256 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (April 2005)
- Minutes (PDF, 4 pp., 44 KB) from Coal Mine Subcommittee Meeting (November 2004)
Coal Mine Country Profiles and Global Projects Database
The Coal Mine Methane Global Overview contains individual, comprehensive profiles that characterize the coal and coal mine methane sectors of 32 countries—18 Methane to Markets partners and an additional 14 coal-producing nations. In addition, an Introduction section provides summary tables and statistics.
The International Coal Mine Methane Projects Database contains information on over two hundred coal mine methane recovery and utilization projects operating, in development, or planned around the world in both Methane to Markets partner and non-partner countries.
Case Studies, Analyses, and Reports
- Coal Mine Methane Technology Database (PDF, 14 pp., 174 KB) This database was compiled by Australia's Department of Tourism, Industry, and Resources, on behalf of the Methane to Markets Partnership. Part 1 provides some basic information on several key types of technologies that are applicable to coal mine methane recovery and utilization. Part 2 includes information on case studies using these technologies. Inclusion in this database is intended for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Methane to Markets Partnership. Please provide any comments to the Administrative Support Group.
- Development of Two Case Studies on Mine Methane Capture and Utilisation in China (PDF, 48 pp., 2,310 KB)
Useful Links
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program

- IEA
Clean Coal Centre Web site

Coal mine methane emissions increased 20 percent from 1990 to 2000, and are projected to increase another 25 percent above 2000 levels by 2020.