JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Methane flaring to mitigate climate change is under way at an Anglo American Thermal Coal operation.

Anglo Thermal Coal CEO Norman Mbazima says that the R9-million project at the company's New Denmark colliery near Standerton involves the incorporation of two mobile flares into the mine's methane drainage system.

Mbazima describes the project as a "proactive technological response" towards minimising the company's carbon footprint.

Flaring renders the methane gas - which is released during coal mining - 18,5 times less environmentally harmful.

The enclosed Swiss-designed mobile flare – a joint New Denmark-Gemini Carbon concept, and a Clean Development Mechanism first – completely burns all the methane sent to it.

A small diesel blower delivers the methan to four flaring nozzles where the gas is mixed with air to a concentration that enables it to be safely burnt.

The flare's communication system is solar-powered.

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