ISSUES AND OPTIONS FOR REDUCING METHANE EMISSION TO THE ATMOSPHERE FROM INDIAN COAL-MINING

India has a reserve of about 190 billion tonnes of coal spread over ne arly 50 coalfields that range in size from a few Km(2) to 1500 Km(2). There are about 440 working mines which produced 238 million tonnes of coal in the year 1992-93 and methane emission to the atmosphere durin g the year is estimated to be 0.4 million tonnes. Based on geologic an d reservoir characterisation of different coal basins, mine conditions and mining methods and in-situ methane content of coal seams, potenti al for reduction of methane emission from Indian coal mining is assess ed. The exhaust ventilation air of most of the mines has been observed to contain less than 0.02% of methane, utilisation of which may not b e economically viable with the currently available technologies. Recov ery of methane from gob wells has also limited applications in Indian mines working mostly by bord and pillar method of mining at shallow de pths. However, coalbeds in some virgin zones located mainly in the eas tern part of the country appear to have appropriate geologic condition s, aggregate seam thickness and gas in place and are likely to be prom ising sites for pre-mining degasification which will have significant contribution to the reduction of methane emission, increasing mine saf ety and towards an useful fuel resource for energy.