Course Outline

Introduction: the historical development of coal mining and increasing environmental awareness of CO2 emissions

• Overview of the global coal industry
• What is coal, and how is it formed?
• The carbon cycle.
• Coal and gas; what is the nature of the association.
• Coal and the global energy mix. How is it transforming over time?
• The rise of environmental awareness and the extraction of fossil fuels.
• CO2 emissions and the coal industry.
• Do all coals produce the same amount of CO2 emissions?
• How is the issue being tackled around the world?

Climate change and coal: the “essential science”

• From ‘global warming’ to ‘climate change’; background to the R & D that shapes international perspectives.
• Context, how CO2 has varied over time.
• The implications of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere and the role of coal.
• Tipping points, what are they, and what are the implications?
• Summary of key technical concepts that underpin climate change science.

Coal mine emissions

• At what stage of the mining process do emissions occur?
• The difference between Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions and how they can be determined.
• Technical considerations in developing a life-of-mine emissions profile.
• Open cut versus underground, similarities and differences in approach to characterising emissions.
• The relationship between the depth of coal mine extraction and fugitive emissions.
• Thermal coal and metallurgical coal; variance in emissions profile. Why?
• Legacy effects, coal mine waste gas and goaf leakage.
• Drilling and fugitive emissions. What can be done about abandoned historical boreholes?
• Goaf gas capture and VAM techniques.
• Long term emission reduction options.
• State of the game in Australia and overseas.

The regulatory framework underpinning emissions reporting

• The National Greenhouse Energy Reporting system and associated Technical guidelines.
• Historical background of the above, and likely future developments.
• Strengths and weaknesses of the current system from a coal mining emission reporting perspective.
• Relationship of domestic reporting regime to international agreements.
• The ‘Paris Agreement’ and coal mine emissions.
• The Independent Planning Commission and coal mine emissions in proposed developments.

Stakeholder issues

• Who are the stakeholders?
• Development of strategies to satisfy key stakeholders; examples.
• The social licence to operate, coal mining and emissions.

Mitigation strategies

• The development of a carbon management plan.
• Options for minimising and mitigating emissions.
• International efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from coal mining operations.
• Impact of carbon pricing; practical implications for coal mining.

Wrap up and discussion

• Review of the major factors that determine the success or otherwise in the management of CO2 emissions in coal mining.
• Where to from here? What is the likely future for coal mining in an increasingly low carbon world?

Exercises: A number of short exercises and workshops designed to reinforce key topics.

Video: The course material will be supplemented by videos illustrating key subject matter.