Methane released by coal mining operations, known as coal mine methane (CMM), is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Currently, only a fraction of CMM emissions are recovered for safety purposes and used as an energy source. Meanwhile, 50% to 70% of all CMM originates from mine ventilation systems and remains virtually unexploited. Although ventilation air methane (VAM) represents annual GHG emissions of 300 million tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), its extremely dilute methane content has proven to be a barrier to its use.

Major advances now allow coal mines to benefit from VAM:

• VAM destruction has been demonstrated as safe and efficient and Biothermica’s innovative VAMOX® system is commercially available;
• Biothermica can offer a royalty-based project scheme which means VAMOX® projects can be carried out with no capital investment by the mines. Biothermica also proposes an array of other flexible commercial approaches;
• Across the globe, the selling of carbon credits ensures the bankability of GHG emission reduction projects. By securing a revenue stream in hard currency, carbon credits provide a means of financing projects that reduce GHG emissions, thereby mitigating climate change while contributing to sustainable development.