Contribution of minerals industries to climate change
The stationary energy sector in 2006 contributed almost 49% of the total 160 megatonnes of emissions in NSW.1
Burning fossil fuels for energy
Coal is the world's most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel source and currently supplies around 23% of the primary global energy needs. Coal is the largest mining sector in NSW and accounts for 73% of all mineral production in NSW. See a map of NSW coalfields.
Open cut coal mine at Maitland NSW
The mining process
In addition to coal, metallic minerals (gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, tin, antimony and titanium), industrial minerals (gemstones, limestone, clays) and construction materials (such as sand, gravel and stone) are also mined in NSW.
Emissions come from not only the burning of fossil fuels for energy, but also the process of mining itself. Coal seam methane gas occurs naturally alongside coal. It was formed when the coal itself was formed, and is held within the coal under pressure. When the coal is mined, the gas can escape which is the reason these kinds of emissions are sometimes called 'fugitive emissions'. Some mining companies are currently looking for ways to capture and remove this gas prior to mining to reduce emissions and as an extra source of revenue.
Find out more about coal seam methane gas and fugitive emissions.
Minerals processing
The minerals processing industry, such as aluminium smelters, iron and steel production and cement operations, also contribute to the greenhouse gas emissions in NSW.
Return to Climate change and minerals & petroleum
1Department of Climate Change, State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Australia's national greenhouse accounts, 2006.