17 December 2007

There are some 7 to 8 billion cubic metres of potentially recoverable methane gas trapped in the mines of the province of Limburg. Methane gas is the most important element of natural gas.

According to a study by VITO, the Flemish Institute for Technological Investigation, there are 56 billion cubic metres underneath the mine terrains. 7-8 billion cubic metres are potentially useable. The Limburg Conversion Company wants to carry out test drilling to find out whether the gas can be used to produce electricity.

Methane gas is very dangerous in coal mines that are still being exploited.

It has been responsible for killing thousands of people, certainly in countries such as China and Russia.

When mines are closed down, methane production continues.

Trapped as it is underground, it becomes a valuable raw material.

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