Cleaner production applications for coal utilisation

The paper discusses environmental impacts of coal processing and utilisation post mining through to power generation; and the opportunities to reduce or eliminate those impacts through the application of Cleaner Production (CP) and Eco-efficiency strategies. Coal processing and utilisation is resource intensive with significant amounts of water, electricity and fuel consumption. The resulting impacts are great with the utilisation of coal in power generation the single biggest contributor to greenhouse gases worldwide. Water scarcity is another important issue, particularly for Australian power generators. Thus, the industry is under ever-increasing pressure to be more 'resource-efficient' as renewable energy technologies are developed and energy markets become more competitive. Opportunities for minimising impacts have been determined by systematically applying the principles of Cleaner Production to coal processing. The paper summarises preliminary research that scopes the possible opportunities that are available. Further investigation is required to determine the cost-effectiveness and practicality of some of the initiatives described and to uncover other opportunities available to the industry.