In 1999 we were pleased to assist The Centennial Coal Company Limited with their initial Greenhouse Challenge Co-operative Agreement with the Commonwealth government.
In 2001, we provided further assistance to Centennial to report on the original agreement and revamp that agreement to take account the changing number of coal mines in Centennial’s portfolio.
A revamped database has been constructed for the group. As each operation is different and has site specific circumstances, it was decided to set key performance indicators and targets for each mine site. The group performance then would be the sum of the performances from each mine. In this way, any unexpected or unplanned variation from the expected results could be tracked to individual mine sites. Also, for each mine we assisted in identifying and documenting efficiency improvement projects that would lead to greenhouse gas emissions savings. The projects covered process, production and energy improvement matters.
Also, this overall approach would allow other mines to be added easily to the group or mines to be removed from the group, if for example a mine had reached the end of its life.
A distant view of Centennial’s operations at Cook in Queensland
The public statement from the 2000 Greenhouse Challenge report for Centennial reads as follows:
Company Progress
In 1995, greenhouse gas emissions from Centennial Coal’s operations were about 17,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent global warming potential (CO2 GWP). In our original 1995 emissions inventory, reported at the start of Centennial’s commitment under Greenhouse Challenge, we reported a figure of 17,800 tonnes CO2 and the difference is due to more accurate information becoming available.
Centennial has achieved significant reductions in CO2 per tonne run of mine (ROM) Coal produced between 1995 and 2000 primarily due to continuous improvement programs.
Centennial has in place an expansion program to take advantages of opportunities that become available and that meet the company’s investment criteria. One example is the acquisition of Springvale Colliery which has occurred since Centennial joined Greenhouse Challenge in 2000. Other acquisitions or divestments are possible in this dynamic environment. The effect of changes of this nature will be to change our emissions inventory and per unit performance indicators.
With this in mind, Centennial has adopted individual key performance indicators (KPIs) for each mine site against which greenhouse performance will be measured. This is a change from the group performance indicator which was adopted on joining Greenhouse Challenge.
Emissions Update
Total Emissions for the 1999/2000 year were 218,538 tonnes CO2 GWP which included fugitive and non-fugitive emissions resulting from our business operations and in the 2000/2001 year these emissions were 231,792 tonnes CO2 GWP. The emissions from energy use in these years were 49,968 and 63,402 tonnes CO2 GWP respectively.
The increase in total emissions since 1995 has been due mainly to fugitive emissions from one additional underground mine to the group. It is possible that fugitive emissions from our operations may increase further depending on changes to the company’s mine portfolio. The increase in emissions from energy use since 1995 has been due to additional mines in the group and greater coal production.
Action Plan Achievements
When considered against the adopted key performance indicators for each mine site, the aggregated emissions for the group amount to 5,400 and 13,400 tonnes below the emissions predicted for 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
These savings have been due to management initiatives and Centennial’s drive for improved efficiencies. Additional savings are expected from specific greenhouse projects.
A view of Centennial’s operations at Clarence which features codisposal of washery rejects
Centennial’s experience with Greenhouse Challenge provides a good example of how the programme can benefit both the organisation and the environment. Benefits to the company include an improved efficiency with reduced costs as well as enhanced employee awareness and an improved working culture.
A link to Centennial’s web site appears on our clients page.
