Coal mine methane in China: a budding asset with the potential to bloom
The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine policies, technologies and practices in China for coal mine methane (CMM) recovery and use, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities of medium- and smaller-sized coal mines. Research for this report was conducted through a series of meetings and interviews with coal mine stakeholders in China, including national and provincial authorities, local officials, coal mining
companies, financiers, international experts, and on-site interviews and visits to a number of coal mines in Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces conducted in 2008. These provinces are not the highest-capacity coal mining regions, but, like many other regions in China, they have strong coal resources and related potential for greater recovery and use of CMM.