Abandoned Mine Methane Development of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in the Light of the New EU Regulation on Methane Emission Reduction in the Energy Sector

Abstract

More than 40 coal mines have been abandoned in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) since the 1980s. Several of these mines were gassy but only seven have been selected as prospective for abandoned mine methane (AMM) production. The newly developed methodology, which is based on the post-mining emission prognosis, was used to estimate the AMM resource potential of the USCB. Based on this study, conclusions and recommendations for the future development of AMM in the USCB have been formulated. Appropriate changes in the law, proper planning of AMM recovery and estimating AMM resources before closing the mine are considered the most critical factors. Also, AMM development in Poland may be impacted by the new EU Regulation on Methane Emission Reduction. The provisions of this regulation require enormous inventory, record-keeping and logistic work as well as large financial expenditures for measuring methane concentrations for all mines, including non-gassy mines. The regulation applies to all coal mines, as long as 50 years have not passed since their closure, while it is assumed that methane emission from gobs in closed mines lasts approximately 15 years in the USCB mining conditions.