Reduction of methane emissions from post mining goafs to minimise their inflow into VAM

2026-07-22

Reduction of methane emissions (REM) from post mining goafs (Abandoned Mine Methane) to minimise their inflow into Ventilation Air Methane is a part of sustainable and intelligent mine Greenhouse Gases (GHG) management towards green deal economy, which is the key issue when minimizing costs of coal mines' liquidation process and mitigating Coal Mine Methane emissions to the atmosphere. REM pilot and demonstration project is going to demonstrate intelligent management of low content AMM (less than 30% CH4) cumulated in post mining goafs of presently operated „Pniówek” underground coking coal mine by: determination such goaf zones, sealing them, extracting Low Content AMM (LCAMM) using latest Long Reach Directional Drilling (LRDD) technology, transporting it using especially designed for LCAMM pipelines to the surface LCAMM compressor station and finally feeding it into especially designed gas engines adjusted for LCAMM to produce electricity and heat. Additionally VAM emissions to the atmosphere from coal mines’ shafts will be monitored and verified with the application of the latest technology of optical gas indication (OGI) and with the use of unmobile aircraft systems (UAS). This completely innovative comprehensive management of the post-mining methane emission chain with the aim to substantially reduce VAM at Polish and Romanian gassy underground coal mines will significantly increase labour safety and reduce coal mines’ carbon footprint. It will be realistic contribution of gassy coal mines towards Global Methane Pledge ambitious goals set for Energy sector. Innovative techniques proposed in REM will be subject of international patents and can be subject of repeatability and re-scaling in gassy coal mines globally. REM project will be professionally handled by international consortium, including members (GIG, JSW, INiG, PIG) of the first International Center of Excellence on Coal Mine Methane (ICE CMM) established under UNECE Group of CMM experts.

Poland

2025-10-01