Energy resources

Coalbed Methane (CBM)
Coalbed Methane (CH4) is a gas compound produced during coalification (the process during which coal is formed through the alteration and compaction of organic matter as a result of burial).

CBM is absorbed into the pore spaces of coal seams in the presence of water because of the pressure applied by the water. The gas is preserved through geological time. The gas is easily captured by removing water from the coal seam and pumping out the liberated methane.

CBM has a wide variety of energy-related uses, and with the current energy crisis and relatively high fuel prices, it has received increased attention. Methane is generally considered a cleaner form of energy than traditional coal and oil. Exploration costs are low and wells used to extract CBM are cost effective to drill. CBM can be used to fuel power stations or it can be converted into liquefied natural gas. It can also be piped to a gas-to-liquid refinery for conversion into fuel.

Uranium
Uranium has become one of the world’s most important energy sources. It is more abundant than gold, silver or mercury, about the same as tin, and slightly less abundant than cobalt, lead or molybdenum.

Where ore bodies lie close to the surface, they are usually accessed by open pit mining. Where ore bodies are deeper, underground mining is usually employed, involving access tunnels and shafts. Some ore bodies lie in groundwater in porous unconsolidated material and may be accessed simply by oxygenating that groundwater and pumping it out – also known as in situ leach mining.

About half the world’s uranium now comes from underground mines, about 30% from open cut mines and 20% from in situ leaching.