Extraction and Exploitation Strategies, Technologies and Practice

Date: 18^th to 20th June 2012
Venue: Wanderers Golf Club, Johannesburg

CONFERENCE OVERVIEW

Methane has been the deadly enemy of coal miners for generations. Colourless, tasteless and odourless, it can be hard to detect. Explosive at a concentration of between 5% and 15% in a normal air mixture, methane remains the number-one killer of coal miners in countries such as China. Methane Gas is no longer viewed as an obstacle in the coal mining industry, In fact today it is known as one of the fastest growing and commercially viable energy sources. Mines are now able to tackle Methane Gas at various stages and exact revenues from it.

Methane Gas in Coal Mining Southern Africa looks to explore how methane gas is being extracted at various levels and how mine operators store, transport and monetize Methane Gas.

Methane Gas will always by its very nature carry a risk factor but as technologies develop the environment can become more manageable.

While environmental issues will always be a concern, international research has shown that if methane is captured it can be harnessed into a productive energy source has the ability to dramatically decrease the detrimental effects on the environment. Numbers available indicate the burning or using Methane is twenty two times less detrimental to the environment than when it is left to escape un-burnt. It also has twenty one times greater heat trapping value when released into the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Based on its environmental footprint it is clear that every opportunity should be taken to remove Methane from the atmosphere and one of the best ways to do this is to use it in energy production.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Mining Operator CEO’s, COO’s, MD’s, CFO’s, FD’s, and Board Level Directors
• Operations Directors and Management
• Exploration Directors and Management
• Technical Directors and Management
• Technologist
• Geologists
• HSE Directors and Management
• Strategy Directors and Management
• Technology and Solution Vendors
• Consultants
• Legal and Regulatory Advisors
• Finance and Accounting Professionals

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Methane Gas extraction has proven to be financially rewarding the coal mining industry allow for increased revenue both as an added revenue stream and an extended revenue stream for those mines at the end of their life-cycle. The importance of knowledge and idea sharing in a relatively new but extremely fast growing Clean Coal industry is critical for the over-all success. Clean Coal technologies have given the coal mining industry an extended life and the opportunity for the industry to shine its poor carbon record.

The World Coal Association estimates that future Global Coal reserves leave the planet with around 190 years of coal; this however could be extended depending on future developments such as the discovery of new reserves through ongoing and improved exploration activities and advances in mining techniques, which will allow previously inaccessible reserves to be reached.

Listen to Industry leaders and experts as we explore, evaluate and examine the following critical areas in the Methane Gas Extraction arena for Coal Mining:-

• The growth of Methane Gas Extraction and technologies being employed
• The legal and regulatory path of Methane Extraction for the coal mine industry
• How the different extraction strategies are implemented and managed in the coal mine life-cycle
• Understand the Ground Water issues and develop strategies for managing contamination
• The importance of partnerships for successful technology and skills transfer
• How to successfully build Carbon Projects
• Case studies from leading energy companies
• Technological advances in drilling
• Storage and Pipeline perspectives
• Finding Buyers is critical for successful monetization
• Financing challenges and opportunities
• How power companies view Methane Gas as a viable alternative