Satbayev University and “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” create a methane exploration and production enterprise

“ArcelorMittal Temirtau” JSC and Satbayev University at a meeting in Astana announced the creation of a joint venture to extract methane gas from coal mines.

The presence of methane in the mines of the Karaganda coal basin throughout the history of their operation has created major problems both for the safety of miners and the environment. Now, with the creation of this venture, the old problem will turn into revenues from the extraction and use of methane.

The joint venture “Satbayev University - Arcelor Mittal Gas Production” will begin its activities with geological exploration of methane in coal seams on contract territories, then it will be mined.

Methane gas can be used both to meet the own needs of “ArcelorMittal Temirtau” and the Karaganda region, and for its gas and chemical processing in order to produce a number of products with high added value.

“Methane processing is a long range goal, and we will bring it to the consideration of our partners in the coming months,” said Iskander Beysembetov, the Rector of Satbayev University.

Important conditions for the successful extraction of coal methane are the ensuring of safety of miners and also the reducing of psychological burden on them and the environmental burden on all adjacent areas.

The parties announced that, along with the extraction of methane, they would be engaged in the implementation of innovative projects aimed at improving the environmental situation in the Karaganda region, upgrading the industrial safety, information technologies and training of specialists.

In recent decades, the coal seam methane has become an important source of energy in the United States, China, Canada, Australia and other countries. Global methane production is currently 58 billion m3 per year. Kazakhstan has tax preferences in the scope of coal methane production.