  Two years of satellite observations were used to quantify methane emission
from coal mines in Queensland, the largest coal-producing state in Australia.
The six analyzed surface and underground coal mines are estimated to emit
570+/-98 Gg a-1 in 2018-2019. Together, they account for 7% of the national
coal production, while emitting 55+/-10% of the reported methane emission from
coal mining in Australia. Our results indicate that for two of the three
locations our satellite-based estimates are significantly higher than reported
to the Australian government. Most remarkably, 40% of the quantified emission
came from a single surface mine (Hail Creek) located in a methane-rich coal
basin. Our findings call for increased monitoring and investment in methane
recovery technologies for both surface and underground mines.
