Methane gas (coal mine gas) emitted into the atmosphere due to coal mining is not only a problem for mine safety but also an undesired effect on global warming. Therefore, we will accelerate to diffuse technologies for coal mine gas recovery and its effective use through demonstration project at operating coal mines. The demonstration project for effective recovery and utilization of coal mine gas has been conducted for five years, from fiscal 1998 to 2002, at Tiefa Coal Mining Company, Liaoning Province in P.R.C. The purposes of the project are to prevent global warming, to improve mine safety and to use the coal mine gas effectively as a clean energy resource with its efficient recovery and effective use. The advanced gas drainage and utilization system have been introduced and at the same time the technology transfer has been conducted. Through the project, the coal mine gas has been recovered stably in high concentration and supplied as town gas.
