Mine Site Greenhouse Mitigation Priorities
The use of coal in the context of sustainable development is a major strategic issue for coal producers and the capture and geological storage of CO2 is likely to have an essential role in the future. As one of a range of industry responses, ACARP is a participant in the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD), the CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), and Centre for Low Emission Technology (cLET).
The committee will consider proposals addressing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production of coal, but will not fund projects that duplicate work to be covered in CCSD, CO2CRC or cLET programs.
Australian coal producers are facing the need to measure, control and report greenhouse gas emissions. ACARP seeks proposals that:
- Ensure the industry can accurately measure the emissions from both open cut and underground operations.
- Act to reduce these emissions and,
- Address any future requirements.
Fugitive gases are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from mining operations and as such are the primary focus of ACARP priorities in this area. Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions and utilisation of captured methane have been identified as the areas of greatest potential impact. Applicants are referred to past scoping studies and research reports that have been completed in each of these areas.
Measurement Of Fugitive Emissions
It is critical for coal producers to be able to accurately determine their emissions and to know where improvements need to be made. The industry needs to understand the extent by source of mine site emissions and the uncertainty associated with these measurements, now and in the future. Proposals are sought to:
- Improve the reliability, accuracy and cost effectiveness of measuring, monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduce the uncertainty of fugitive emissions measurement.
- Continue to develop a reliable Tier 2 or above method to measure fugitive emissions from:
- open cut operations.
- operating and decommissioned undergrounds.
Capture Of Mine Gas
ACARP is interested in projects addressing open cut or underground operations with the potential to:
- Reduce gas drainage costs.
- Maximise pre-mining gas recovery.
- Improve the quality and consistency of mine gas production.
- Assess and manage the impacts of gas capture.
- Address future fugitive emission reduction requirements.
Utilisation Or Destruction Of Mine Gas
Dilute sources of seam gas such as mine ventilation air are a significant challenge. Projects aimed at combusting or utilising dilute gas, or increasing the methane concentration to usable levels, in a cost neutral manner without the need for a supplementary fuel are encouraged. Commercial technologies for high purity methane such as drainage gas are being increasingly adopted and are not seen as a priority for further ACARP research.
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