Mining3 and Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) have commenced a project that, they say, will explore the potential of emerging catalytic technology to reduce methane emissions from Australian mine sites, marking a step forward in sustainable resource extraction.

Methane is a greenhouse gas emitted from industries including agriculture, natural gas and mining. Methane has a global warming potential that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to reports. The development and deployment of new technologies to mitigate methane emissions is a crucial component of Australia’s journey to net zero.

The Catalytic VAM Abatement Commercialisation Project will, the organisations say, evaluate a technology called catalytic oxidation which has the potential to operate at concentrations and temperatures below those required by alternative technology. The project aims to assess the suitability of catalytic oxidation technology for safe deployment at scale in Australia.

Phase one is an 18-month project to evaluate promising catalysts through comprehensive testing protocols. This approach aims to provide valuable insights into catalyst performance under various conditions, supporting informed decision making for future commercialisation efforts. In parallel to testing, phase one will also assess and suggest a commercialisation roadmap including suitable pilot designs for next phases.

Dr Neville Plint, Chief Executive Officer at Mining3, said: “This project demonstrates Mining3’s commitment to rapid deployment of innovative technology that addresses the sustainability needs of the mining industry in Australia.”

Dr Adrian Seyfaee, Program Director Scale Up and Commercialisation at Mining3, added: “Catalytic VAM abatement technology has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from Australia’s underground coal mines, an industry that many Australian communities rely on.”

Mark McCallum, Chief Executive Officer of LETA, said: “Mitigating methane emissions from mine sites is an important goal that LETA has been supporting for more than a decade. Catalytic VAM abatement technology is a promising field and we are excited to collaborate with industry colleagues on this project.”