151 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.
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