Mining3 and LETA Advance CATCH4 Program to Deliver World-First Methane Abatement Technology
Mining3 and Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) are pleased to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 of the CATCH4 program and the start of Phase 2.
Some of the mining industry’s hardest to abate sources of greenhouse gases are methane emissions from underground coal mines. Catalytic abatement is a new emerging technology being developed here in Australia, that may be able to tackle these methane emissions better than current technologies allow.
The LETA-funded CATCH4 (Catalytic Oxidation of Methane) Program being developed by Mining3 is an ambitious, multi-phase initiative aimed at developing a commercial-scale catalytic technology designed to safely and effectively reduce ventilation air methane (VAM) — a greenhouse gas with a carbon footprint 28 times greater than carbon dioxide.
“Completion of Phase 1 of the CATCH4 Program is a crucial step forward in proving that catalytic oxidation is a practical and scalable way to reduce methane emissions from coal mining”, said Dr Adrian Seyfaee, Program Director at Mining3.
“These advancements will empower Australia’s mining sector to achieve its emissions reduction targets, driving sustainable innovation and transforming the future of mining.”
Phase 2 of the program will pilot catalytic abatement at an Australian coal mine under real world conditions. The aim of this phase is to prove the scalability of the technology for commercial use and to identify the next generation of catalysts for use in VAM abatement.
Mark McCallum, Chief Executive Officer of LETA, said: “Tackling scope one emissions is a critical challenge for Australian coal miners and a key priority for LETA. The work we are supporting Mining3 with on VAM abatement will be critical for enabling industry to make deep cuts to their emissions.”
About CATCH4
The CATCH4 (Catalytic Oxidation of Methane) Program is an industry-led R&D project funded by Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA). Its goal is to develop, validate, and commercialise catalytic oxidiser technology capable of safely lowering methane emissions from mine ventilation air streams.
Phase 1 of the program has provided the first independent, standardised testing results for various catalyst materials under VAM-specific conditions. These results represent a first-ever operational envelope for catalytic materials capable of oxidising methane at concentrations too low for conventional oxidisers.
During this phase, extensive testing and data analysis were carried out in partnership with global catalyst experts. The findings identified promising catalysts that showed consistent removal of methane at low temperatures, demonstrating the feasibility of catalytic oxidisers in Australian mining.
Beyond catalyst testing, Phase 1 also produced initial pilot design, accompanied with operational and capital cost estimates. These designs serve as the foundation for future development phases and the technical groundwork for scaling the technology towards commercial readiness.
Building on these achievements, Phase 2 will pilot catalytic oxidation with a capacity of 1 m³/s to be tested on-site at an Australian coal mine under real VAM conditions. This stage aims to provide insight on the scalability of the most promising catalysts from Phase 1 for commercial use as well identification of second generations of catalysts.
During this phase, Mining3 will work with leading thermal oxidiser manufacturers and catalyst developers to leverage their expertise. These combined efforts will assess the scalability, durability, and efficiency of the catalytic oxidiser technology, paving the way for full-scale systems.
In later phases, Mining3 will develop a large-scale prototype to validate full-scale operational performance before commercial rollout and integration into Australian mining operations.
About Mining3
Mining3 is a leading global mining research organisation dedicated to transforming the industry through collaboration, innovation, and technology development. By partnering with mining companies, innovators, and technology suppliers, Mining3 accelerates the delivery of world-class solutions that make mining safer, more sustainable, and more productive.
About LETA
Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) is a not-for-profit industry body that invests in the development and deployment of low-emission technologies. LETA supports innovation across energy and resource sectors to accelerate Australia transition to a low-carbon economy and to ensure industry competitiveness in a net-zero future.
*Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator; https://cer.gov.au/schemes/national-greenhouse-andenergy-reporting-scheme/about-emissions-and-energy-data/global
Contact
Carla Myburgh | Marketing and Communications Manager | Mining3 | +61 7 3523 5500 | communications@mining3.com
Ben Rice | Head of Government Relations and Media | LETA | ben.rice@letaustralia.com.au
