Ironbark WCMG Electricity Generation Facility 15MW Expansion

The Ironbark WCMG Electricity Generation Facility 15MW Expansion is a waste coal mine gas (WCMG) project located at the Ironbark No. 1 Coal Mine, approximately 35km northeast of Moranbah in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland. Registered on December 20, 2024, this project represents a significant expansion of an existing abatement facility at the site. The project operates within the renowned coal fields of the region, where land use is dominated by large-scale open-cut and underground mining operations, interspersed with cattle grazing on surrounding stations.

This project operates under the Coal Mine Waste Gas methodology. The primary objective is to capture fugitive methane emissions, gas that drains from coal seams during mining operations, that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere. Instead of venting, this methane is captured and combusted in electricity generation devices (gas engines). This process serves a dual purpose: it converts potent methane into carbon dioxide (which has a significantly lower global warming potential) and generates electricity that displaces power otherwise drawn from the fossil-fuel-intensive grid.

The environment surrounding the Ironbark mine is typical of the Isaac region, characterized by a semi-arid to sub-tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The area receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 600mm, mostly falling in the summer months. The landscape features undulating plains with soils that are predominantly cracking clays (Vertosols) and texture-contrast soils, historically supporting Brigalow scrub communities before extensive clearing for pastoral and mining activities.

A key note for this project is its proponent, Carbon Logica Pty Ltd, which is a joint venture between major coal exporter Xcoal Energy & Resources and bio-energy specialist Helmont Energy. The "15MW Expansion" in the project title indicates this is a second stage of development; Carbon Logica previously registered the initial Ironbark WCMG facility in May 2023. The Ironbark No. 1 mine itself is an underground longwall operation owned by Fitzroy Australia Resources, and this gas capture infrastructure is critical for reducing the mine's operational emissions profile.