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Investing.com -- On Tuesday, a study commissioned by the United Nations revealed that Glencore Plc (OTC:GLNCY)’s Hail Creek coal mine in Australia might be emitting significantly more methane than reported, challenging the reliability of traditional measurement methods for this potent greenhouse gas. The research, which is the most extensive UN-backed examination of coal mine methane emissions to date, was published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
The study utilized data collected by aircraft equipped with atmospheric sensors and spectrometers, which flew over Hail Creek in 2022 and 2023. These flights allowed for the observation of methane plumes that are not visible to the naked eye. The aircraft, a Diamond Aircraft HK36TTC-ECO Dimona motorglider, gathered direct measurements of methane, carbon dioxide concentrations, and meteorological parameters, providing a detailed assessment of emissions.
According to the research, the Hail Creek coal mine’s methane emissions are between three to eight times higher than what the operator has reported. This significant discrepancy has prompted calls for a thorough review of the "bottom-up" reporting methods currently used by the mine.
The study’s authors emphasize the necessity for further measurements to fully understand the variance in reported and observed emissions, suggesting that this could also be relevant to other Australian open-cut coal mines. They argue that extensive measurements are essential to evaluate and quantify how methane emissions from open-cut coal mines may vary over time.
This report underscores the potential gaps in the current approaches to monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from coal mining operations. The findings indicate a need for improved measurement techniques and more accurate reporting to ensure a clearer understanding of the environmental impact of such activities.
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