New abatement option for coal mine methane

An official commitment to require coal mine operators to curb their methane emissions fell by the wayside during last year's privatisation of the industry, and the Department of the Environment (DoE) is now discussing voluntary control measures with the main pit owner, RJ Budge. Meanwhile, International Mining Consultants Ltd (IMCL) has come forward with a technique for abating low concentrations of methane in pit ventilation air - a major source which has so far been viewed as an intractable problem.