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Satellite analysis indicates that fugitive methane emissions from Australian open-cut coal mines are increasing, contradicting a decline in company-reported figures. This discrepancy is attributed to the adoption of 'Method 2', a site-specific emissions estimation approach that allows companies to move away from higher state-based averages. In New South Wales, where state-based factors are higher, 75% of open-cut mines use Method 2, contributing to a reported emissions decrease of 65–70% according to Reputex. Ember's reconstruction of emissions using the state-based 'Method 1' shows a closer correlation with satellite data, which found emissions 90% to 107% higher than reported figures for 2020 and 2021 respectively.