The Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane (CMM) is a subsidiary body of the Committee on Sustainable Energy (CSE) that promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from coal mines. Its activities on recovery and use of methane reduce the risks of explosions in coal mines.
The principal activity of the Group of Experts on CMM is development and dissemination of the Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Recovery in Coal Mines.
In 2014 and 2015 the Group of Experts on CMM will:
- Disseminate electronically the Best Practice Guidance to all major stakeholders in the ECE region and beyond as recommended by ECOSOC (Decision 2011/222)
- Prepare suggestions on how to develop, as appropriate, similar best practices guidance for aspects of CMM management that are not covered in detail by the current document
- Prepare proposals for case studies, where appropriate and financed by extra-budgetary resources, on the application of best practice guidance in specific coal mines in different regions of the world
- Facilitate the establishment by United Nations Member States of International Centres of Excellence in effective pre- and post-mining extraction and use of coal mine methane, abandoned mine methane, and ventilation air methane and suggest a rational distribution of labour between the Group of Experts and Centres of Excellence to ensure exchange of information and experience regarding the profitable methane recovery and use
- Consider best practices on issues related to drainage, recovery, and usage of coal mine methane
The work of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane (CMM) has a benefit for coal mine safety through improvements in the drainage, recovery and use of coal mine methane.
News & Publications
12 March 2013 - Accident at China coal mine kills 21; 4 missing
China says 21 coal miners have been killed and four more are missing following an accident inside a mine in the southern province of Guizhou. China is the world's largest producer of coal, which generates about two-thirds of its energy needs.
29 March 2013 - Gas Explosion in China Coal Mine Kills 28 People 13 Others Rescued
A mammoth sized gas explosion ignited in a North East China coal mine, killing 28 people, according to state run media sources. According to official figures, 1,973 people died in coal mining accidents in China in 2011.
On 12-15 March Methane Expo 2013 was held in Canada at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Methane Expo 2013 was organized by the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), a voluntary, multilateral partnership that aims to reduce global methane emissions and to advance the abatement, recovery and use of methane as a valuable clean energy source. One of GMI's five subcommittees deals with methane emissions from coal mines. In 2010 GMI and UNECE published jointly Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines.
11 February 2013 - An underground methane explosion at the Vorkutinskaya coal mine in Russia, killed up to 18 miners. About 250 people had been in the mine at the time of the explosion.
UNFCCC response to comments on the revision of methodology ACM0008 made by the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane
(Update received on 15 January 2013)
Technical Seminar: Practices and Technologies in Coal Mine Methane Recovery and Utilization in Ukraine (Donetsk, Ukraine, 21-22 September 2011)US EPA CMMws Agenda
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program organised a seminar on practices and technologies in coal mine methane in Donetsk. The seminar focused on the state of the coal industry in Ukraine and discussed best practices for methane drainage, capture and use, emission mitigation and ventilation air methane utilisation. After the seminar, on 22 September, UNECE held the workshop on the Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines.
Group of Experts' comments on the ACM0008
UNECE/ M2M publication
Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines (RU and 中文 ) ../../publications/energy/Welcome.htm
Case Studies
Cooperative Project on Methane Capture and Use (ECE/ENERGY/WP.4/2010/7)
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