1420 TRANSFORMING METHANE FROM HAZARD TO RESOURCE: JSW’S INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR METHANE EMISSION REDUCTION AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION Artur Badylak Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. Production Department Methane Drainage and Management Team ABSTRACT Methane emissions represent the most significant environmental challenge in coal mining, particularly in coking coal operations. Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. (JSW S.A.), the European Union’s largest producer of high-quality hard coking coal, has identified methane as a key component of its carbon footprint, accounting for nearly 72% of total greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, JSW has launched a comprehensive Methane Emissions Reduction Programme aimed at achieving 50% methane capture and 95% energy utilization by 2027, as part of its roadmap toward climate neutrality by 2050. Currently, methane management in coal mines relies on a combination of pre-drainage, post-drainage, and ventilation air handling, yet the efficiency of these systems remains limited by geological conditions, low methane concentrations, and the lack of integrated digital control. Recognizing these gaps, JSW has initiated four strategic EU co-funded projects under the Horizon Europe and RFCS frameworks—MASTERMINE, REM, ProVAM, and METH2GEN, with a total budget exceeding €63 million, including over €37 million directly invested by JSW. These projects introduce innovative solutions across the full methane management chain: MASTERMINE- automates methane drainage systems using digital twin models, AI-assisted control, and real-time data analytics, REM- develops parallel drainage networks to enable the generation of electricity and heat from captured methane, ProVAM- addresses one of the most difficult challenges—reducing methane from ventilation air (VAM)—by improving oxidation efficiency under variable airflow, humidity, and dust conditions, METH2GEN- advances the conversion of residual methane to hydrogen through directional drilling, catalytic reforming, and CO₂ utilization, contributing to circular energy systems. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate a new paradigm in coal mine methane management: integrating digitalization, decarbonization, and energy valorisation. By turning methane from an emission source into a renewable energy sector, JSW contributes both to operational safety and to the EU’s Green Deal objectives. The implementation of these projects establishes a scalable model for deep emission reduction and energy recovery in coal mining, positioning JSW as a European leader in low-carbon transition within the metallurgical coal sector. 1. INTRODUCTION The JSW Group is the largest producer of high quality hard coking coal in the European Union and one of the leading producers of coke used for smelting steel. Production and sale of coking coal and production and sale of coke and hydrocarbons constitute JSW Group’s core business. Coking coal, also known as metallurgical coal, has been identified as one of the 34 critical raw materials for the European Union, signifying strategic economic importance and entailing a high supply risk for European industry. Coking coal is an essential ingredient in steel production - a key component for the development of an innovative economy and modern infrastructure. Mining of coking coal involves significant methane emissions. Methane is one of the main hazards associated with coal mining, alongside fire, water, rock bursts and gas and rock ejections. In addition to the direct threat to the safety of mining crews, methane, and specifically its emission into the atmosphere, has a significant impact on the environment. It should be remembered that methane and carbon dioxide are considered to be the two gases that have the greatest impact on global warming and climate change. The GWP (Global Warming Potential) for methane over a 100-year period (GWP100) is approximately 28, which means that it is 28 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over the same period, although
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