Abandoned coal mines, which continue to emit methane for many years after closure, can provide a small but significant opportunity to exploit a clean energy resource, known as abandoned mine methane (AMM). AMM capture and use offers many benefits, such as improved safety, air quality, and health; energy supply; and environmental performance. The Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Recovery and Use from Abandoned Coal Mines was developed by UNECE and GMI to raise awareness of AMM opportunities and hazards by providing accessible, high-level guidance for senior corporate, government, and financial decision-makers – all of whom play an integral role in decisions to implement best practices. The drafting work was assisted by the financial, technical and administrative support of the United States Environmental Protection Agency through GMI.
The principles outlined in the best practices document are intended to provide guidance to complement existing legal and regulatory frameworks. The objective of the document is to encourage the development of post-mining projects to reduce the overall emissions attributable to the coal mining life cycle by optimizing recovery and use of methane that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere. The best practices guidance is available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian.