South Africa’s coal mines are leaking methane – and no one knows how much

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. It is released from natural sources (such as wetlands) and from human activities (coal mining and oil and gas production). It is also emitted by agriculture (especially livestock and rice fields) and by the decomposition of waste in landfills.

Methane traps more than 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after it is released. It is responsible for about 30% of the warming the planet has experienced since the start of the industrial revolution in the 1760s.

South Africa is the world’s seventh largest coal producer. Coal accounts for about 73% of the country’s energy. Although it is beginning to gradually disappear, the coal industry remains important for employment and local economic activity.

Read more: Australian coal mines are releasing methane into the atmosphere

In coal mines, methane is naturally trapped in the coal seams and surrounding rock. When coal is mined, this gas is released into the atmosphere – both during active mining operations and from abandoned and closed mines – polluting the air and endangering the health of communities. Methane leaks from coal mines also increase the risk of mine explosions.

South Africa’s plan to combat global warming has so far focused on reducing its biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions: carbon dioxide from a coal-heavy economy. There has been very little research into methane emitted from coal mines.

We are energy and mining engineers and specialists who have worked with the Swaniti Initiative, a think tank focused on policy, governance and community issues to generate practical, long-term improvements. Together with our co-author, PhD student Nicola Wills, we set out to fill the research gap: understanding how much methane is actually escaping from South Africa’s coal mines and what could be done to stop this.

We reviewed existing research and policy documents on the coal sector in South Africa. We also held workshops with experts to gather information and understand what options are available globally to reduce coal mine methane and whether they could work in South Africa.

Read more: Mining and wetlands explain methane rise

Our research found that South Africa does not have reliable or up-to-date records of methane emissions from its coal mines and there are few projects aimed at reducing coal mine methane.

The fight against methane emissions is very important. Reducing them will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases South Africa releases into the atmosphere. It would also improve safety, protect health and could even create jobs in coal regions that will see job losses as part of the energy transition.

The methane problem

South Africa has a carbon tax. Climate and mining safety laws exist. But, aside from the tax, the country has no specific policy explicitly targeting methane emissions from coal mines (including closed and abandoned mines).

Methane is also barely mentioned in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan to move the country away from coal-fired energy and toward renewables or in its Nationally Determined Contribution (its global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions).

Read more: Africa now emits as much carbon as it stores: new landmark study

Instead, responsibility for reporting methane emissions from mines is fragmented among government ministries. When mines and other companies report their own methane emissions, they are inconsistent and often not made public. This leaves huge gaps. For example, official government data puts methane emissions from coal mining at 0.06 million tonnes in 2022. But the Global Energy Monitor, the International Energy Agency, research studies and satellite observations put the real figure at between 0.6 million and 1.1 million tonnes.

This is 10 to 14 times higher than reported. This discrepancy is due to limited monitoring, different estimation approaches and the complete absence of data on emissions from closed and abandoned mines.

Why tackling methane could be a big victory

The International Energy Agency suggests that up to 90% of emissions from operating mines could be reduced. Capturing methane before, during or after mining is one way to achieve this. For example, before mining begins, methane can be extracted from the coal seam so that less of the gas escapes into the air once mining begins. The captured gas can be used as an energy source instead of being wasted.

These and other technology options used during mining and after mine closure need to be tested in South Africa’s coal mining sector to determine whether they are practical and affordable. If so, reducing methane emissions from mines could significantly contribute to reducing the country’s overall emissions profile.

Targeting just a handful of high-emitting mines could help quickly reduce greenhouse gases.

Read more: End of coal in South Africa: what 100,000 workers will need when their jobs disappear

Methane management projects could also create demand for new technical and engineering jobs in active, closed and abandoned coal mines. Miners who lose their jobs due to coal mine closures could be hired in many of these jobs.

By capturing and using methane instead of letting it escape, businesses will not be taxed as much for the carbon they emit (carbon tax). They could even earn income by selling carbon credits.

Establishing mine methane capture projects would position South Africa as one of the first major coal producers in the South to tackle mine methane on a large scale.

What should happen next

Our report outlines several actions that policymakers and the coal industry should take:

• Measure better: Strengthen monitoring with on-site equipment and satellite data, and make the results public.

• Closing policy gaps: Integrate methane into policies where appropriate, alongside planning for a just energy transition.

• Financially support projects: use climate finance or carbon tax revenues to de-risk early projects and build investor confidence.

• Don’t forget about closed and abandoned mines: include methane management in mine closure obligations and rehabilitation plans.

Read more: South Africa’s coal workers face uncertain future – Mpumalanga study says they are being excluded from green transition

• Engage coal communities: Make sure unions, local governments and communities are involved from the start to make the transition away from coal just and equitable.

• Facilitate collaboration in countries of the South: encourage partnerships between coal-producing countries. These partnerships could share experiences, technologies and best practices in methane monitoring and mitigation. This could include joint research and development projects and pilot projects aimed at reducing methane. Regional knowledge exchanges should be established to adapt proven solutions to local conditions and build long-term technical capacity.

If nothing is done, methane will continue to leak from active, closed and abandoned coal mines. This will silently make the climate crisis worse. But if the country is proactive, it can reduce greenhouse gases and help support livelihoods in coal regions.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent, nonprofit news organization that brings you trusted facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Jennifer Lee Broadhurst, University of Cape Town; Brett Cohen, University of Cape Townand Jesse Burton, University of Cape Town

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Jennifer Lee Broadhurst receives funding from various sources for research purposes, but none have a direct interest in the results of this work.

Brett Cohen receives funding from various organizations that fund research, but none has a direct interest in the results of that work.

Jesse Burton receives funding from various sources for research purposes, but none have a direct interest in the results of this work.