About the program
The Government recognises the long-term viability of the coal mining sector depends on the innovation and deployment of new technologies to reduce fugitive emissions from coal mines.
The objective of the CMATSP is to maintain and enhance the international competiveness and viability of the Australian coal mining sector under Australia's carbon pricing scheme and greenhouse constraints that will be tightened overtime to meet Australia's greenhouse reduction targets.
Funding will be directed at three elements:
- research, development and demonstration of technologies and processes associated with coal mining greenhouse gas mitigation including the measurement and monitoring of emissions, avoidance and abatement technologies. Due to funding limitations demonstrations may be limited to small and medium scale projects
- work to address safety and regulatory issues associated with the development and deployment of greenhouse mitigation related technologies, equipment and processes
- assistance to small and medium coal sector participants to develop abatement strategies or undertake feasibility studies to reduce emissions from current and proposed mines.
The Australian Government is providing $70 million over five years commencing July 2012 to support CMATSP projects and activities.
This program is managed by the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism (the Department) on behalf of the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP (the Minister).
Coal mines may find additional information on mitigating and managing their greenhouse gas emissions on the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) website.
Technical Advisory Committee
In March 2012, the Minister established the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide guidance and support for the development and implementation of the CMATSP.
The TAC membership includes:
- four members from coal producers and the industry association
- four members from the NSW and Queensland state governments
- two members from research organisations
- two members from the Department
Grants, funding and timeline
The 2012-13 round opened for applications on 2 July 2012 and closed on 28 September 2012. Phase One and Phase Two assessments will be conducted by the Department and the CMATSP TAC. Successful applicants are required to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia.
The Minister has approved the CMATSP Program Administrative Guidelines (PAGs) for publication on 2 July 2012. The PAGs outline the merits based process for selecting projects for CMATSP grant funding. The Minister has also endorsed the CMATSP Research Plan which identifies research priorities for addressing fugitive methane emissions from coal mining. These priorities together with eligibility and merit criteria in the PAGs will be used to identify suitable projects that will be recommended to the Minster for funding approval.
The application and assessment process of the research, development and demonstration and the safety and regulatory elements of the CMATSP will be undertaken in two phases:
- Phase One – Pre-qualification phase, based on applicants submitting an expression of interest by completing a pro-forma application form which are assessed by the Department with advice from the TAC; and
- Phase Two – Detailed assessment and funding consideration phase, which commences with an invitation from the Department for applicants recommended after Phase One to submit a detailed project proposal leading to detailed assessment and consideration for funding of the specified project.
Related documents
Please note: Program Guidelines are provided for information only at this stage. When applications for grants are called, the guidelines will be reissued with project details and specific opening and closing dates.
More information
For more information about the Coal Mining Abatement Technology Support Package please contact the Coal Sector Programs team at coalsectorprograms@ret.gov.au.