Methane Emissions from Super-emitting Coal Mines in Australia quantified using TROPOMI Satellite Observations

Two years of satellite observations were used to estimate the methane emission from coal mines in Queensland, the largest coal-producing state in Australia. The six analyzed surface and underground coal mines are estimated to emit 570+/-98 Gg a-1 in 2018-2019. Together, they account for 7% of the national coal production, while emitting 55+/-10% of the reported methane emission from coal mining in Australia. Most remarkably, 40% of the quantified emission came from a single surface mine (Hail Creek). While surface coal mining is generally assumed to be a relatively minor source of methane, this suggests we may have to rethink its importance in the global methane budget. Our findings call for increased monitoring and investment in methane recovery technologies for both surface and underground mines. Our results indicate that for two of the three locations our satellite-based estimates are significantly higher than reported to the Australian government.