Understanding Methane Emissions in South Africa’s Coal Sector
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming. It is released from both natural sources, such as wetlands, and human activities, including coal mining, oil and gas production, agriculture (especially livestock and rice paddies), and the decomposition of waste in landfills. In the first 20 years after its release, methane traps over 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. This makes it responsible for about 30% of the warming the planet has experienced since the Industrial Revolution began in the 1760s.
South Africa is the seventh-largest coal producer globally, with coal accounting for approximately 73% of the country’s energy supply. Although the coal industry is gradually being phased out, it still plays a crucial role in employment and local economic activity. However, the environmental impact of coal mining, particularly in terms of methane emissions, remains a pressing concern.
The Hidden Threat of Coal Mine Methane
In coal mines, methane is naturally trapped within coal seams and surrounding rock. When coal is extracted, this gas is released into the atmosphere—both during active mining operations and from abandoned and closed mines. These leaks not only pollute the air but also pose serious health risks to nearby communities. Additionally, they increase the likelihood of dangerous explosions within the mines.
South Africa’s climate action plans have primarily focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-dependent economy. However, there has been very little attention given to methane emissions from coal mines. Our research, conducted in collaboration with the Swaniti Initiative, aimed to address this gap by investigating how much methane is actually leaking from South African coal mines and what measures could be taken to mitigate these emissions.
Key Findings and Challenges
Our study revealed that South Africa lacks reliable and up-to-date records of methane emissions from its coal mines. There are also few initiatives in place to reduce these emissions. Tackling methane is essential not only for reducing greenhouse gases but also for improving mine safety, protecting public health, and potentially creating jobs in coal regions facing job losses due to the energy transition.
Despite having a carbon tax and climate and mine-safety laws, South Africa does not have dedicated policies that explicitly target methane emissions from coal mining. This includes emissions from closed and abandoned mines. Methane is also largely absent from the country’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and its nationally Determined Contribution, which outlines its global commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Discrepancy in Reported Data
The responsibility for reporting mine methane emissions is fragmented across various government departments. When mines and companies report their own emissions, the data is often patchy and not publicly available. This leads to significant gaps in understanding the true scale of emissions. For example, official government data estimates methane emissions from coal mining at 0.06 million tonnes in 2022. However, data from the Global Energy Monitor, International Energy Agency, research studies, and satellite observations suggest the real figure is between 0.6 million and 1.1 million tonnes—10 to 14 times higher.
This discrepancy arises from limited monitoring, differing estimation methods, and the complete absence of data from closed and abandoned mines.
A Big Win for Climate Action
According to the International Energy Agency, up to 90% of emissions from operating mines could be reduced through effective methane capture. Capturing methane before, during, or after mining can prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere. For instance, methane can be removed from coal seams before mining begins, and the captured gas can be used as an energy source instead of being wasted.
These technologies, along with other mitigation strategies, need to be tested in South Africa’s coal mining sector to determine their practicality and affordability. If successful, reducing mine methane emissions could significantly lower the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Targeting high-emitting mines could lead to rapid reductions in greenhouse gases. Methane management projects could also create new technical and engineering jobs in active, closed, and abandoned coal mines. Mineworkers losing their jobs as coal mines close down could find employment in these emerging sectors.
By capturing and using methane, companies could reduce their carbon tax liability and even generate income by selling carbon credits. Implementing methane capture projects would position South Africa as one of the first major coal producers in the global south to tackle mine methane on a large scale.
Steps Forward
Our report outlines several key actions that policymakers and the coal industry should take:
- Measure Better: Strengthen monitoring using on-site equipment and satellite data, and make results public.
- Close Policy Gaps: Integrate methane into relevant policies, alongside Just Energy Transition planning.
- Support Projects Financially: Use climate finance or carbon tax revenues to de-risk early projects and build investor confidence.
- Don’t Forget Closed and Abandoned Mines: Include methane management in mine closure obligations and rehabilitation plans.
- Engage Coal Communities: Ensure unions, local governments, and communities are involved from the start to make the transition away from coal just and fair.
- Facilitate Collaboration Across the Global South: Encourage partnerships between coal-producing countries to share experiences, technologies, and best practices for methane monitoring and mitigation.
If no action is taken, methane will continue to leak from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines, exacerbating the climate crisis. However, with proactive measures, South Africa can reduce greenhouse gases and support livelihoods in coal regions.
