Abstract
There is an opportunity to dramatically reduce methane emissions from Australian, open pit, metallurgical coal (MC) mines. Currently, MC is critical to the production of steel products and is essential to meet international urbanisation and energy system transformation goals. Initial research in the application of subterranean barriers in coal mining was focused on reducing whole-of-life coal mine methane (CMM) emissions (Johnson Jr, 2014) but lacked economic viability after carbon pricing was eliminated in Australia. The basis of induced barriers is similar to naturally occurring barriers (i.e., igneous intrusions or dikes) that have shown effective subterranean reservoir baffling. Barriers have also been applied in the environmental and civil engineering industries, to contain contaminants or manage or restrict subterranean flow, respectively. In this case, subterranean barriers are being implemented in conjunction with mine pre-drainage to reduce methane emissions from an open pit, MC mine. In addition, barriers can be used in underground mining operations to improve mine pre-drainage, improving safety and meet reduced methane emissions. Our paper describes the design, execution, and evaluation workflows and the relative importance of variables required for a barrier implementation in subterranean applications for open-cut and underground mining applications. We will detail the results of ongoing planning and modelling to implement and assess a barrier application for reducing gas migration from unmined in-seam or underground mine sections into open-cut MC mining operations. Barrier implementation in conjunction with the beneficial use of gas provides a workable framework to reduce MC mine emissions toward necessary reductions by 2030.
Presenters
Raymond Johnson JrGeneral Manager, Technical Services, Novus Fuels, Queensland, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Coal Mine Methane, Emission Reduction, Metallurgical Coal, Open-Cut, Underground
