Mining research and innovation group Mining3 has partnered with InEight to implement a suite of project controls solutions that it says will underpin the successful delivery of its transformative CATCH4 (Catalytic Oxidation of Methane) Program.
Operating at the intersection of industry, research, and technology, Mining3 says it works with leading mining companies, METS (mining equipment, technology, and services) providers, and research institutions worldwide to accelerate the development of technologies that improve the safety, sustainability, and productivity of the mining industry.
One of its flagship initiatives, the CATCH4 Program, is focused on commercialising the abatement of low-concentration methane in underground coal mining using catalysts, an innovation with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at scale.
Delivering programs of this scale requires seamless coordination across organisations, disciplines, and geographies. By implementing InEight’s integrated platform – including InEight Document, InEight Schedule, InEight Control, InEight Change, and InEight Report & Explore – Mining3 says it is enhancing accessibility, streamlining processes, and strengthening collaboration across its global partner network.
“Programs like CATCH4 bring together diverse expertise across industry and research,” said Dr Adrian Seyfaee, Program Director, Mining3. “Having a connected environment for managing information, timelines, and performance is critical to ensuring we can move efficiently from concept through to deployment.”
As Mining3 continues to expand its portfolio of collaborative research initiatives, the ability to manage complexity and maintain transparency across projects is increasingly critical. The work Mining3 is doing with InEight software it says supports the translation of research into real-world impact for the mining industry.
“We are focused on accelerating the path from idea to implementation,” adds Seyfaee, “Strengthening how we deliver our programs is a key part of ensuring that the technologies we develop create meaningful value for our partners and the industry as a whole.”
“We’re proud to support organisations like Mining3 that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in the mining sector,” said Jake Macholtz, CEO of InEight. “Mining3’s work on initiatives like the CATCH4 Program represent the kind of forward-thinking progress that can transform the industry, and our solutions are designed to help teams manage complex programs with the visibility and control needed to succeed.”
The CATCH4 Program is an industry-led R&D project funded by Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA). Its goal is to develop, validate, and commercialise catalytic oxidiser technology capable of safely lowering methane emissions from mine ventilation air streams.
Phase 1 of the program has provided the first independent, standardised testing results for various catalyst materials under VAM-specific conditions. These results represent a first-ever operational envelope for catalytic materials capable of oxidising methane at concentrations too low for conventional oxidisers.
During this phase, extensive testing and data analysis were carried out in partnership with global catalyst experts. The findings identified promising catalysts that showed consistent removal of methane at low temperatures, demonstrating the feasibility of catalytic oxidisers in Australian mining.
Beyond catalyst testing, Phase 1 also produced initial pilot design, accompanied with operational and capital cost estimates. These designs serve as the foundation for future development phases and the technical groundwork for scaling the technology towards commercial readiness.
Building on these achievements, Phase 2 will pilot catalytic oxidation with a capacity of 1 m³/s to be tested on-site at an Australian coal mine under real VAM conditions. This stage aims to provide insight on the scalability of the most promising catalysts from Phase 1 for commercial use as well identification of second generations of catalysts.
During this phase, Mining3 will work with leading thermal oxidiser manufacturers and catalyst developers to leverage their expertise. These combined efforts will assess the scalability, durability, and efficiency of the catalytic oxidiser technology, paving the way for full-scale systems.
In later phases, Mining3 will develop a large-scale prototype to validate full-scale operational performance before commercial rollout and integration into Australian mining operations.