Methane and methane control in Chinese coal mines

Over 95 percent of China's coal is mined underground at an average mining depth of 410 m and increasing in depth at 10 m per year. With increasing mining depth, methane emission increases as well. Government statistics indicate that nearly half of China's coal mines are classified as gassy, with recorded methane explosions in the hundreds every year, and are responsible for over 80 percent of all coal mining deaths. Methane is also a clean energy resource, although only a small percentage of the methane is captured in China today. Capturing methane underground can not only improve mine safety, it also has the added benefits of reducing greenhouse gas and providing clean energy. In recent years, there have been increased efforts to develop China's coalbed methane (CBM) resource. This article describes these control measures, and drainage and utilization efforts.