Coal bed methane project aims to reduce emissions

In 2007 Rio Tinto Coal Australia started a project to capture and process methane gas from its open cut Mount Thorley Mine in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

The A$5 million pilot project aims to determine the feasibility of capturing the gas prior to mining, so reducing methane emissions.

An initial data collection stage in 2007 has been followed by drilling programme in 2008. The methane released from these wells will initially be flared as part of the measuring process. However, if the project yields a significant amount of methane, Rio Tinto Coal Australia may look at using it to generate electricity.  This would significantly reduce the amount of methane emissions to the atmosphere and so reduce our impact on the environment.

If the pilot project is successful, it could trigger similar developments at the other Hunter Valley sites and other sites in Australia.