Methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide, is a major contributor to global emissions of greenhouse gases. Globally, the coal mining industry accounts for 8% of total methane emissions. Coal mines capture methane mostly for safety reasons because methane can be dangerous for underground mining. However, after closure, underground coal mines continue to release methane into the atmosphere. This methane is known as Abandoned
Mine Methane (AMM).
Several countries have successfully developed an enabling environment that encourages AMM recovery and utilization. The experiences of Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States can provide valuable lessons for other countries wishing to utilize the potential of AMM. The example of these countries shows that a proper legal and regulatory framework can facilitate utilization of methane from abandoned coal mines for the natural gas market, power generation, and development of combined heat and power.