VAM Abatement Safety Project

Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be up to 25 times more potent for global warming than carbon dioxide. Fugitive methane emissions from underground coal mining can equal up to 5% of Australia’s CO2 equivalent emissions. Coal mine methane is captured around the mine’s ventilation system where it is known as Ventilation Air Methane, or VAM. It can be volatile and there are significant risks of an explosion within these vents.    

To better understand VAM and improve mine safety, the University of Newcastle and several industry and government partners came together to build the world’s first large-scale testing facility for research into VAM. Having worked with the University’s National Institute of Energy & Resources on several research facilities and after understanding the project objectives, Bureau Veritas introduced Broadspectrum and technical specialists ICD Asia Pacific to the project. Together, we developed the design from a pilot scale laboratory prototype model to become a fully engineered full-scale operating plant.  

Bureau Veritas was tasked with identifying the site, coordinating planning approvals, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of the large-scale duct. The testing facility includes a 100m long detonation tube facility filled with sensors to capture over 250Gb of data every time the team run a controlled explosion. Located at Londonderry in Sydney’s West, the facility is part of a $30m research project funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and the Australian Coal Association Low Emission Technologies (ACALET). 

Note: APP Corporation Pty Limited (The APP Group) was initially contracted for this project. The APP Group was acquired by Bureau Veritas in December 2024.