23 “super-emitter” events linked to eight global coal mines

A Global Energy Monitor (GEM) report identifies 23 methane 'super-emitter' events at eight coal mines across Australia, China, Colombia, and Mexico between January 1, 2023, and April 1, 2024. Using NASA EMIT sensor data, the analysis links satellite-detected plumes to specific mine operators, highlighting a lack of global incentives for methane mitigation.

• Between January 1, 2023, and April 1, 2024, 23 methane plume detections were linked to eight global coal mines, all of which exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency's definition of a 'super-emitter'.
• The analysis identified super-emitter events at specific mines in four countries: the Baode, Jinmei Pingshang, and Wangjialing mines in China; the Bulga, Capcoal, and Mandalong mines in Australia; the Mimosa mine in Mexico; and the Pribbenow mine in Colombia.
• Coal mine methane accounts for one-third of all global fossil fuel methane emissions, though some estimates suggest the coal sector's emissions may exceed those of the oil or gas sectors.
• There are currently insufficient global incentives for mine operators to repair methane leaks, particularly from ventilation shafts where gas is often diluted, making abatement less attractive than other capital expenditures without rebates or mandatory thresholds.
• GEM's Global Methane Emitters Tracker (GMET) provides a unique public resource by linking satellite-detected plumes to specific asset operators outside of the United States and Canada, a level of transparency not currently provided by the UN's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS).

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2024). 23 “super-emitter” events linked to eight global coal mines. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-methane-super-emitters-December-2024-_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. 23 “super-emitter” events linked to eight global coal mines. 2024. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-methane-super-emitters-December-2024-_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=23 “super-emitter” events linked to eight global coal mines |date=December 2024 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-methane-super-emitters-December-2024-_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2024superemitter, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{23 “super-emitter” events linked to eight global coal mines}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-methane-super-emitters-December-2024-_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }