The Invisible Crisis: South Africa’s Coal Mines Are Leaking Massive Quantities of Methane

In the heart of South Africa’s coal mining regions, an invisible threat is seeping from the earth—one that carries consequences far beyond the mine shafts and processing plants. While the country grapples with its energy transition, methane—a greenhouse gas with staggering warming potential—is escaping from active, closed, and abandoned coal mines at rates that dwarf official estimates.

The Silent Accelerant of Climate Change

Methane operates as climate change’s silent partner, a gas that receives less attention than carbon dioxide but packs a devastating punch. To understand its impact, consider this: methane traps over 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide during its first two decades in the atmosphere. This potent greenhouse gas accounts for approximately 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution began in the 1760s.

“When we talk about climate change, carbon dioxide dominates the conversation, but methane is the wild card that could determine whether we meet our climate targets,” explains Dr. Jennifer Lee Broadhurst, an associate professor at the University of Cape Town and co-author of a groundbreaking study on South Africa’s methane emissions.

The sources of methane are diverse—from natural wetlands to agricultural activities, oil and gas production, and waste decomposition. But in South Africa, coal mining represents a particularly significant and underreported contributor.

South Africa’s Coal Conundrum

As the seventh-largest coal producer globally, South Africa finds itself at a crossroads. Coal still accounts for approximately 73% of the country’s energy mix, despite growing renewable energy investments. The industry remains crucial for employment and local economies, particularly in regions like Mpumalanga, where mining communities depend on the sector for livelihoods.

But this dependence comes with an environmental cost that extends beyond carbon emissions. Within coal seams and surrounding rock formations, methane exists naturally. When mining operations disturb these geological structures, the gas escapes into the atmosphere—not just during active extraction but continuing long after mines have been abandoned.

“The problem doesn’t end when the last coal truck leaves the mine,” notes Brett Cohen, an honorary professor in chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town and co-author of the study. “Closed and abandoned mines continue to emit methane for decades, creating a legacy of pollution that we’re only beginning to quantify.”

The Measurement Gap: Official Data Versus Reality

Perhaps the most alarming finding from recent research is the staggering discrepancy between official methane emission figures and independent estimates. Government data placed methane emissions from coal mining at just 0.06 million tonnes in 2022. However, multiple sources—including the Global Energy Monitor, International Energy Agency, peer-reviewed studies, and satellite observations—suggest the real number falls between 0.6 million and 1.1 million tonnes.

This represents a 10 to 14-fold underestimation of the actual problem. How could such a massive gap exist?

“The monitoring infrastructure is simply inadequate,” explains Jesse Burton, a senior researcher in the Energy Systems Research Group at the University of Cape Town. “We’re relying on outdated estimation methods, limited on-site measurements, and we have virtually no data from closed and abandoned mines. It’s like trying to measure a flood with a rain gauge.”

The regulatory framework compounds the problem. Responsibility for reporting methane emissions is fragmented across multiple government departments, creating coordination challenges and accountability gaps. When mining companies do report their emissions, the data is often inconsistent and rarely made publicly available.

The Policy Void: Methane’s Missing Presence

Despite having a carbon tax and various climate and mine-safety laws, South Africa lacks dedicated policies explicitly targeting methane emissions from coal mining. Even more concerning, methane receives scant mention in two critical documents: the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution—its formal commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement.

“Methane is the ghost in our climate policy machine,” observes Dr. Broadhurst. “We’ve developed comprehensive strategies for carbon dioxide reduction, but we’re overlooking a gas that could undermine all our efforts if left unaddressed.”

This policy gap becomes particularly problematic when considering mine safety. Beyond its climate impact, methane accumulation poses explosion risks in both active and abandoned mines, creating potential safety hazards for nearby communities.

Turning Crisis into Opportunity: The Methane Solution Pathway

The International Energy Agency suggests that up to 90% of emissions from operating mines could be reduced using existing technologies and practices. The solutions range from straightforward to sophisticated, but all share a common characteristic: they transform a waste product into potential value.

One promising approach involves capturing methane before mining operations begin. By extracting the gas from coal seams prior to disturbance, companies can significantly reduce atmospheric emissions while potentially creating a new energy source. The captured methane can be used for power generation, heating, or industrial processes—turning a liability into an asset.

“We’re not just talking about environmental protection; we’re discussing economic opportunity,” emphasizes Professor Cohen. “Methane capture projects could create technical and engineering jobs in regions facing employment challenges due to the energy transition. Many of these positions could be filled by mineworkers displaced by coal mine closures.”

The Financial Case for Methane Mitigation

Beyond job creation, methane management offers financial incentives. By capturing and utilizing methane instead of releasing it, companies can reduce their carbon tax liabilities. More ambitiously, they might generate revenue through the sale of carbon credits in emerging markets.

“The economics are increasingly favorable,” notes Burton. “As carbon pricing mechanisms evolve and international pressure mounts, methane mitigation transforms from a cost center to a potential profit center. The question isn’t whether we can afford to address this issue, but whether we can afford not to.”

Targeting just a handful of high-emitting mines could deliver disproportionate benefits. Research indicates that a relatively small number of operations account for the majority of emissions, creating opportunities for focused interventions that yield significant results.

A Roadmap for Action: Six Steps Toward Methane Management

The research team proposes a comprehensive strategy to address South Africa’s methane challenge:

1. Enhance Measurement and Transparency

Strengthen monitoring capabilities using both on-site equipment and satellite technology. Make emission data publicly available to foster accountability and informed decision-making.

2. Close Policy Gaps

Integrate methane explicitly into climate and energy policies, including the Just Energy Transition planning process. Develop dedicated regulations for methane management across the mining lifecycle.

3. Financial Support Mechanisms

Utilize climate finance and carbon tax revenues to de-risk early methane capture projects. Build investor confidence through demonstration projects and targeted incentives.

4. Address the Legacy Issue

Include methane management in mine closure obligations and rehabilitation plans. Develop specific protocols for monitoring and mitigating emissions from abandoned mines.

5. Community-Centered Transition

Engage unions, local governments, and communities from the outset to ensure the transition addresses social equity concerns and creates meaningful local benefits.

6. South-South Collaboration

Foster partnerships between coal-producing countries in the global south to share technologies, best practices, and adaptation strategies. Establish regional knowledge exchanges to build long-term capacity.

The Global Context: South Africa’s Leadership Opportunity

By proactively addressing its methane emissions, South Africa could position itself as a pioneer among major coal producers in the global south. This leadership would not only contribute to global climate efforts but also demonstrate that economic development and environmental responsibility can advance together.

“The global north has dominated the conversation around methane management, but the solutions developed there may not directly translate to our context,” explains Dr. Broadhurst. “South Africa has an opportunity to develop homegrown approaches that could then be shared with other developing economies facing similar challenges.”

This leadership extends beyond environmental stewardship. As international trade mechanisms like the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism take effect, comprehensive emissions management—including methane—will become increasingly important for maintaining market access and competitiveness.

Conclusion: A Crossroads Moment

South Africa stands at a pivotal moment. The choice is between allowing methane to continue leaking silently from its coal mines, undermining climate goals and missing economic opportunities, or seizing the initiative to transform this challenge into multiple benefits.

The path forward requires acknowledging the scale of the problem, mobilizing resources toward solutions, and ensuring that the transition benefits the communities most affected by changes in the energy landscape. With coal remaining significant in South Africa’s economy for the foreseeable future, addressing its methane emissions represents not just an environmental imperative but an economic and social one.

“The window for action is closing,” warns Professor Cohen. “Every day we delay means more methane accumulating in our atmosphere, more missed economic opportunities, and more challenges for communities in coal regions. But with concerted effort, we can turn this invisible threat into visible progress.”

As the sun sets over South Africa’s coal fields, the question remains: will the country capture the potential bubbling beneath its surface, or will it let this opportunity—like the methane itself—simply vanish into thin air?

This article is based on research conducted by Jennifer Lee Broadhurst, Associate Professor at University of Cape Town; Brett Cohen, Honorary Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Cape Town; and Jesse Burton, Senior Researcher, Energy Systems Research Group at University of Cape Town.

Original research and article available at: The Conversation

Source: Moneyweb