Reducing Carbon Emissions in Open-Pit Coal Mining Crucial for Environmental Sustainability

A research study published in Meitan xuebao has emphasized the importance of reducing carbon emissions during the open-pit coal mining process in Inner Mongolia, China. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Inner Mongolia University of Technology, highlights the significant environmental impact of open-pit coal mining and the need for a standardized carbon emissions accounting system in the coal industry.

Key Takeaways:

• The annual carbon emission of an open-pit coal mine in China is 1,538,178.60 tCO2e, with methane fugitive emissions accounting for 79.92% of the total emissions.
• The carbon dioxide equivalent emission per 1 t of raw coal produced is 0.05 tCO2e, mainly due to methane fugitive emissions caused by coal mining and post-mine activities.
• Carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion account for 13.71% of the total emissions, while emissions associated with electricity and water consumption represent the smallest proportion, at 6.37%.
• The average annual greenhouse gas emissions of open-pit coal mines in China over the past ten years are (3.24 ±0.77) x 107 tCO2e, which is equivalent to the annual carbon sequestration of (5.23 ±1.24) x 108 trees.
• Reducing carbon emissions during the open-pit coal mining process is crucial for mitigating environmental impact, with particular emphasis needed on mitigating fugitive emissions.
• The research findings have significant implications for the development of a standardized carbon emissions accounting system in the coal industry and for assessing its regional environmental impact.

Statistics:

• 1,538,178.60 tCO2e: annual carbon emission of an open-pit coal mine in China
• 79.92%: proportion of methane fugitive emissions within the total emissions
• 0.05 tCO2e: carbon dioxide equivalent emission per 1 t of raw coal produced
• (3.24 ±0.77) x 107 tCO2e: average annual greenhouse gas emissions of open-pit coal mines in China over the past ten years
• (5.23 ±1.24) x 108 trees: equivalent carbon sequestration of the average annual greenhouse gas emissions
• (113.83 ±27.00) hectares: equivalent carbon sequestration of open-pit coal mines in China in the form of poplar forests

Sources:

• Full lifecycle carbon emissions accounting and regional environmental impact assessment of typical open-pit coal mines. Meitan xuebao, 2025, 50(6): 3072-3084.
• Editorial Office of Journal of China Coal Society. Meitan xuebao.