In today’s world, information is essential and providing accurate, balanced information and editorial is a primary driving force behind the Coal Association of Canada’s (CAC) communications efforts.
Working internationally to ensure the coal industry addresses its detractors and speaks with a common voice is also becoming more important. Therefore, the CAC will pair its efforts and co-host the blog with the American Coal Council (ACC).
Please check back soon for the new “Coalblog” which will provide essential information and discussion on the international coal industry, markets, policy and regulations.
Re-launch of the “Coalblog” will commence with the unveiling of the new and improved CAC website, scheduled to go online Autumn 2009. Stay tuned for more detailed announcements.
Cleantechblog recently posted an article on Australia’s clean coal technology.
Australia has a significant vested interest in clean coal technologies with funding and technology development occurring around the country. The vested interest is due to Australia having large coal resources and more importantly coal is a major export earner for Australia and accounts for around 80% of Australia’s total energy generation.
Although Canada has only 2 underground coal mines (Grand Cache and Quinsam), the following article on new technologies for safety in underground mines may be of interest to the industry.
Newswise — Technologies originally developed for federal agencies, such as NASA, may improve the safety of mining operations in the nation, thanks to the efforts of researchers, engineers, and intellectual property experts within the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University.
The NTTC evaluates innovations and technologies that one day may improve communications in mines, create tracking devices to monitor miners, and lead to improvement with mine mapping and mine-rescue technologies.
Established by Congress in 1989, the NTTC expedites the commercialization of federally funded research and development to the private sector. The NTTC transforms ideas and research developed in federal labs such as NASA into products and services, and offers world-class technology assessment services and develops lasting partnerships among industry, academia and government agencies.
The Sago Mine and Alma Mine tragedies highlight the importance of the NTTC’s mission and the importance of identifying new technologies and products that can save lives.
The NTTC, for example, is working in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NTTC is utilizing its expertise to contribute to NIOSH’s efforts to develop the next-generation Self-Contained Self-Rescuer system. SCSRs are required equipment for coal miners and are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and NIOSH.
SCSRs must have a rated duration of one hour. NIOSH seeks to make the respirator both smaller and lighter, as well as lengthen the device’s service life and maximum oxygen capacity. The NTTC is utilizing its experience in identifying technologies and development partners for this initiative.
Under the direction of former Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health J. Davitt McAteer, the NTTC plays a leadership role in improving safety in mining communities with the Coal Impoundment Location and Information System (http://www.coalimpoundment.org). The Coal Impoundment Location and Information System is a pilot project developed by the NTTC , the Center for Educational Technologies® (CET), Wheeling Jesuit University, West Virginia University and the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and funded through the efforts of Senator Robert C. Byrd.
It is designed to identify coal impoundments in West Virginia, alert residents of emergency situations and evacuation plans, improve safety and examine alternatives for impounding coal waste and sludge in the Mountain State.
The United Kingdom is set to spend just over $6.1 million USD over the next 3 years as part of a clean coal research deal with China. The collaboration aims to investigate different possible means of reducing CO2 emissions, including carbon sequestration.
This partnership is part of a broader EU-China collaboration on clean coal techno
Vancouver, B.C. December 20, 2005 - NEMI Northern Energy & Mining Inc.
(TSX-V: NNE.A) (”NEMI”) is pleased to announce that the Company has received all regulatory approvals and has commenced mining operations at its Trend Small Mine.
Regulatory
NEMI received a Mines Act permit in May 2005 approving the TSM mine plan and reclamation program. The mine permit was followed in the Fall of this year by the approval of an effluent permit under the Environmental Management Act. Most recently, NEMI received its air quality permit and final water license, the final permit and license under the Environmental Management Act and Water Act required to commence mining operations.
Project Status Update
NEMI is pleased to provide the following project status update for its Trend Small Mine Project (TSM).
Trend Small Mine Project
Production
* Mining operations will continue through December in preparation for
the start of coal processing in January 2006. The TSM initial
production rate is targeted at 40,000 - 60,000 tonnes per month.
A Swiss-based company has beat out two local companies to open the Donkin coal mine and revive a tradition in Cape Breton.
The province announced Wednesday that Xstrata Donkin Coal Development Alliance has won the right to open the mine.
“I am certain that this will be the start of an effective, business-based, economically vigourous, and socially beneficial relationship between this company and the people of Nova Scotia,” Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt said in a statement.
Xstrata’s subsidiary in Australia, AustirXstrata Coal, leads the alliance. The other members include Georgia-based Atlantic Green Energy Development and Kaoclay Resources, a Nova Scotia mining company.
Two Cape Breton-based companies, Donkin Resources and Cape Breton Coal Energy, bid on the project.
Before the announcement, Frank Corbett, MLA for Cape Breton Centre, said he believed the two local bidders presented good packages to the goverment.
But Corbett said the good news is that the province is finally picking someone to mine Donkin.
The municipal councillor for the area, Kevin Saccary, is also pleased the mine will open and an estimated 300 jobs will be created.
“It’s a Christmas present come early,” Sacccary said Tuesday.
Premier John Hamm announced last year that the province was looking for a private operator for the mine.
Donkin was closed nearly 20 years ago before any coal was mined.
But about 300 million tonnes of coal remain underground, and high prices for oil and natural gas are making coal a more attractive source of energy.
The Regina Leader-Post
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Page: B9 Section: Viewpoints
Old King Coal could be on the way to cleaning up its image as a dirty source of energy if SaskPower has its way.
The Crown electrical utility is studying the idea of building a $1.5-billion “clean-coal” power plant in the province that would prevent 90 to 95 per cent of the carbon dioxide (C02) emissions from escaping into the atmosphere.
A successful clean-coal plant would enable SaskPower to continue burning a cheap and readily available fuel — and achieve its commitments under the Kyoto accord.
Scientists believe C02 is a major cause of global warming and under Kyoto, Canada and some 150 other countries have agreed to sharply cut emissions. However, with coal and natural gas used to generate most of Saskatchewan’s electricity, SaskPower faces an annual penalty of $30 million, hence the search for clean-coal technology.
If the project proves feasible, the plant could begin operating as early as 2011, says Rick Patrick, SaskPower’s vice-president of planning, environment and regulatory affairs.
Patrick says the federal government is keen on clean-coal technology and has provided $10 million — with the provincial government matching that amount — to assist in its development.
Key to reducing emissions produced by coal-fired power plants is capturing C02 and disposing of it in underground aquifers or shipping it to oil companies for enhanced oil recovery.
Saskatchewan isn’t the only jurisdiction eyeing a clean-coal power plant. The U.S. Energy Department is working with an international consortium to build a $950 million US coal-fired power plant by 2012 that removes carbon dioxide and produces hydrogen as well as electricity. The hydrogen could be sent to oil refineries to upgrade petroleum products or even used to power cars and trucks in the future, according to the Wall Street Journal.
With plenty of coal around — the U.S. estimates it has at least 200 years worth of reserves — the black stuff is regaining attention just as the debate over using nuclear power is heating up
The Toronto Star
Friday, December 02, 2005
Page: A29 Section: Opinion
Byline: Len Crispino
Ontario’s business community is worried. Ontario is at a very dangerous crossroad; on one path is the available electricity to continue to power our economic growth, and along the other, uncertain power supplies, brownouts and blackouts cloud our future.
As early as next week, the Ontario Power Authority will issue a report that will provide guidance to the Ontario government, spelling out for them the “right” power mix for the province.
Rampant speculation suggests this government-appointed body will call for continued reliance on nuclear energy, including new plants at the Darlington station and possibly new capacity at the Bruce power station.
Both options are good and should be supported. An energy policy without nuclear is, at best, only half a policy.
However, what will likely be missing from the report is a call for the government to convert Ontario’s coal-fired generators, all of which are slated for closure or for conversion to more expensive natural gas, to new clean-coal technology.
Clean coal is the one option that this government has, time and again, failed to consider.
It has become a crusade of the government to close all the coal plants - regardless of science or economics.
What we need now is a respite from the rhetoric. It is time to consider reasoned and researched options, and elevate this debate.
So, instead of engaging in inflammatory rhetoric, all parties - government, energy workers, the Ontario Power Authority, businesses, and average Ontarians - must consider the facts.
Coal remains the cheapest way to produce electricity.
Ontarians are already paying much more for their power than they did just four years ago and building new energy supply, whether it be nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal or gas, will further increase that cost.
Coal adds the needed flexibility to the power supply system, particularly in meeting peak demand.
Unlike nuclear power, wind, or solar, coal generators can be turned on or off easily to meet demand. Within hours a coal plant can go from “off” to “on,” filling in where other generators fall short. This is particularly important during the peak of the heating and cooling seasons.
China is planning to invest at least 24 bln usd in coal-to-liquids (CTL)technology to cut its growing reliance on oil and gas imports, the Financial Times reported, without citing sources.
‘If all of these projects went ahead, it would be the equivalent of replacing one million barrels of oil a day,’ Jim Brock, a Beijing- based energy consultant, was quoted as saying.
China has long used coal-to-liquids technology on a local level, with 8,000-9,000 crude gasifiers deployed to make everything from fertilizer to chemicals in areas that have long struggled to obtain or afford oil and gas, the paper said.
