Latest news with #methane
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Anglo American close to reopening Grosvenor Coal Mine one year after explosion
Anglo American is in the "final stages" of preparation to re-enter the underground Grosvenor Mine in central Queensland after it exploded in June last year. Sunday will mark one year since the steelmaking coal mine was evacuated due to a methane gas ignition. A similar explosion at the same mine injured five workers in 2020. Grosvenor Mine technical assurance manager Wesley Noble said work was still underway to remove material that filled underground shafts. Work to re-enter the mine has included new ways to remotely measure conditions underground without reintroducing oxygen that could trigger another fire. Mr Noble said a laser sensor was one tool repurposed to conduct damage assessments. "What we were able to do is utilise that technology in a different way, to put it down a borehole [and] actually map the underground workings from the surface," he said. Grosvenor Mine general manager Shane McDowall said drones had also been used for thermal imaging, methane detection and aerial damage assessment. "Our focus now turns to safely re-ventilating the underground environment, a critical step that will allow our teams to return underground, carry out visual inspections and continue our readiness activities," Mr McDowall said. Resources Health and Safety Queensland (RHSQ) confirmed it was monitoring Grosvenor Mine's progress, and it was "close to achieving its first phase of re-entry". The industry watchdog had also allowed Anglo American to enter its Moranbah North mine, which closed after an ignition in late March. A RSHQ spokesperson said a "staged approach" to re-entry had allowed the mining company to begin constructing underground roads on the site. The Mining and Energy Union placed a directive on Anglo American to stop members from entering the Grosvenor Mine. The union's industry health and safety representative, Jason Hill, said he would withdraw the instruction when there was an "acceptable level of risk" at the site. Grosvenor is the largest underground coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin and had a workforce of about 850 permanent workers and contractors. Anglo American redeployed many workers, but the suspension of operations at neighbouring Moranbah North mine has thrown doubt over long-term job stability. "There are some feelings of insecurity [for workers] and getting this step forward and getting people back underground will provide some security," Mr Hill said. "A lot of the miners that come from Grosvenor … what I'm hearing, and what I've been told, want to go back." In November 2024, Peabody Energy entered a $5.7 billion deal to acquire Anglo American's four steelmaking coal mines in Queensland. The resumption of longwall mining at Grosvenor is a condition of the final sale price to the mining giant. In a statement, Peabody said it was continuing to "evaluate whether there is a viable path forward that reflects a revised structure and value". The company said it reserved all rights under acquisition agreements to back out of the deal if a change in price was not agreed upon by August. At nearby Moranbah North mine, a canary-yellow robot dog has been trialled to test if the four-legged computer could take images underground. Anglo American said no decision had been made on whether the technology would be used in Grosvenor Mine. University of Queensland Professor Mohsen Yahyaei said the dog, known as "Spot", had become a popular tool in the industry. "I've seen many cases that actually people have been using them for maintenance and inspections," he said. "You can install these sniffer sensors, and they can actually take the air sample and measure the quality." Mr Yahyaei believed robots like "Spot", which could operate on artificial intelligence or be controlled remotely by humans, were key to reducing risk in the resources industry. "You remove the human being from those hazardous environments, and therefore you improve the safety aspect and even the work quality as well," he said.
TechCrunch
3 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
How one biotech startup is betting on cows and winning over investors
Cow burps are a climate problem, and one startup wants to reprogram them. Livestock are a major source of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. While plenty of startups are trying to tackle the issue with seaweed feed, synthetic additives, or carbon offsets, one biotech founder is taking a more fundamental approach: changing what happens inside the cow's gut. Hoofprint Biome is using enzymes to rewire the cow's microbiome from the inside out, cutting methane production and improving feed efficiency along the way. The company just raised a $15 million Series A round from investors including Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, and they're just getting started. Today on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Tim De Chant sat down with Kathryn Polkoff, co-founder and CEO of Hoofprint Biome, to talk through it all. Listen to the full episode to hear about: How enzymes and AI are helping fight climate change (seriously). What it takes to raise money for biotech in a sea of SaaS. Why thinking like a farmer, rather than a climate scientist, was Polkoff's superpower. As she put it, 'That'd be like if you were engineering a car but had never changed the engine — that's where all the energy comes from.' The future of methane reduction and feed efficiency at scale. Equity will be back Friday with our weekly news roundup, so stay tuned. Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes here.
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Found Alien-Like Creatures Feeding on Methane': Sea Spiders Survive on Microbes in One of Earth's Strangest Ecosystems
IN A NUTSHELL 🕷️ Scientists discovered three new species of sea spiders that graze on methane-eating microbes in the ocean depths. that graze on in the ocean depths. 🌊 These spiders thrive through a unique symbiotic relationship , where microbes convert methane into nutrients directly on their exoskeletons. , where microbes convert methane into nutrients directly on their exoskeletons. 🦠 The findings highlight the deep ocean's role in the carbon cycle and its potential in mitigating climate change . and its potential in mitigating . 🔬 The discovery opens doors for using these microbes in environmental remediation, offering new solutions to ecological challenges. In the mysterious depths of the ocean, where sunlight never reaches, a groundbreaking discovery has emerged that challenges our understanding of marine life. Scientists have uncovered three new species of sea spiders that survive not by preying on others but through a unique form of symbiosis. These tiny creatures, residing in the methane-rich environments off the U.S. West Coast, rely on methane-eating microbes for sustenance. This discovery not only provides insights into the adaptability of life in extreme conditions but also highlights the interconnectedness of Earth's ecosystems. The Unusual Diet of Sea Spiders Unlike traditional spiders, which capture and consume prey, the newly discovered sea spiders of the Sericosura genus have adopted a remarkable strategy for survival. Instead of hunting, these spiders graze on bacteria that thrive on their exoskeletons. These bacteria harness the energy from methane seeping through the ocean floor, converting it into sugars and fats that nourish their arachnid hosts. This symbiotic relationship is a novel adaptation that allows the spiders to thrive in an environment devoid of sunlight and typical food sources. The process is akin to having a self-sustaining farm right on their bodies. As Shana Goffredi from Occidental College explains, the sea spiders consume these bacteria much like humans would eat breakfast, by simply grazing the surface of their own bodies. This unique feeding strategy highlights the complex and innovative ways life can adapt to extreme conditions. Moreover, it underscores the importance of methane-fueled ecosystems in maintaining the delicate balance of our planet's carbon cycle. 'This Species Was Gone for 120 Years': Stunning Rediscovery in South America Stuns Scientists and Ignites Conservation Hopes The Role of Methane in the Ocean's Depths Methane, often considered a menace to Earth's climate, plays a crucial role in supporting life in the ocean's dark recesses. In the absence of sunlight, life forms in these regions rely on chemosynthesis, a process driven by chemicals like methane. As organic matter decomposes on the ocean floor, it releases methane, creating nutrient-rich zones that support diverse ecosystems. The newly discovered sea spiders are just one example of the incredible biodiversity that thrives in these methane seeps. Research indicates that the microbes inhabiting the sea spiders may help trap climate-warming methane before it escapes into the atmosphere. This discovery opens up possibilities for using these microbes in bioremediation efforts to clean contaminated water in other environments. By understanding how these organisms function in extreme conditions, scientists can explore new ways to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gases on our planet. '100 Men vs. 1 Gorilla': Science Settled This Ancient Debate, and the Real Winner Will Shock You to the Core The Intriguing Life Cycle of Sericosura Spiders The life cycle of the Sericosura sea spiders is as fascinating as their diet. These creatures are minuscule, measuring barely 0.4 inches in length, and their nearly transparent bodies limit their ability to roam. Despite their small size, they have developed a unique reproductive strategy. Females release hundreds of eggs from their kneecaps, which males gather and carry around in bundles wrapped around their legs. This peculiar behavior ensures the continuation of their species in an environment where survival is a constant challenge. Once the eggs hatch, the young spiders inherit the symbiotic bacteria from their fathers, providing them with an immediate food source. This efficient method of food transfer ensures that the next generation is equipped to thrive in their methane-rich habitat. The localized populations of these spiders suggest a high degree of specialization, emphasizing the importance of preserving their unique ecosystems from human activities such as deep-sea mining. 'Predator Found at 26,000 Feet': Scientists Discover First-Ever Hunter Living in the Abyss of an 8,000-Meter Ocean Trench Implications for Our Understanding of Marine Ecosystems The discovery of these methane-grazing sea spiders underscores the complexity and diversity of life in the deep sea. Contrary to popular belief, the deep ocean is not a homogeneous environment but a vibrant tapestry of distinct ecosystems. Each region supports unique species that have adapted to their specific conditions. As Shana Goffredi notes, understanding these ecosystems is crucial for sustainable ocean use and conservation efforts. The insights gained from studying these spiders and their microbial partners could inform future efforts to harness similar organisms for environmental remediation. By exploring the hidden corners of our oceans, we can uncover solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges. These discoveries remind us of the intricate connections between all living organisms and the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations. As we continue to explore the depths of our oceans, what other remarkable adaptations and symbiotic relationships might we uncover that could help us address the environmental challenges facing our planet today? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (28)
ABC News
5 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Grain-fed cattle emissions 56 per cent lower than previous estimates, research finds
The perception of livestock's contribution to climate change is set to be altered, as the federal government adopts a new way of calculating methane emissions from Australian feedlot cattle. All cattle producers have been under scrutiny for contributing to about 15 per cent of the world's total greenhouse gas outflow according to CSIRO, but a new Australian-focused emission calculation has disputed the contribution from Australia's grain-fed cattle. It found grain-fed cattle emissions were 56 per cent lower than previously believed. For sixth-generation Eugowra farmer and Gundamain Feedlot co-director Caitlin Herbert, this change has significantly shifted the conversation around feedlotters' contribution to climate change. "It also aligns with our industry's reduction in emissions, and contributes to our goal of net zero." When a cow burps, or belches, the greenhouse gas methane is introduced into the atmosphere. A more than 50-year-old calculation that used data from United States dairy cows, known as the Moe and Tyrell equation, had previously created the methodology for grain-fed cattle farmer emission estimates. Many researchers have questioned its accuracy for Australian cattle. However, following research conducted by the University of New England (UNE), the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has adopted a new, Australian-specific equation to calculate methane emissions from grain-fed cattle. The new methodology takes into account the feed intake of the animals, and adjusts the methane emissions for the amount of roughage, fibre and fat they consume. The study was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) on behalf of the Australian Lot Feeders' Association (ALFA), and the government says it was reviewed by independent experts. Of Australia's cattle that have gone to slaughter, 40 per cent are grain-fed, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and currently make up 1.4625 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. Grain-fed cattle emissions are 80–85 per cent lower than grass-fed animals on average, due to the high energy, lower fibre and increased digestibility of grain-based diets. Owner and co-director of Gundamain Pastoral Co and Gundamain Feedlot Tess Herbert said she had an inkling emissions were being overestimated before the new methodology was released. "I think the [Australian] grass-fed industry does [believe their emissions are being overestimated] too, so that may be the next step along the supply chain," Mrs Herbert said. Separate from the study, research fellow Mei Bai at the University of Melbourne's School of Agriculture, Food, and Ecosystem Sciences said it was good news to have a local emission factor formula. However, Dr Bai said the new coefficients seemed to come from respiration chambers conducted under controlled conditions. "It doesn't fully replicate commercial feedlots' environment, where animal activities, climate and farm management practices would be different," she said. "It would be good to validate the revised emission factors with on-farm measurements." Professor of livestock production at UNE Frances Cowley is the co-author of the equation. Professor Cowley said the modelling had been under scrutiny for a number of years. She said MLA and UNE had pulled together recent Australian feedlot data on diets and conditions to conduct new experiments. "We modelled the data that we had using Australian diets and Australian cattle and Australian conditions and came up with an equation which is a really tight fit and a very strong prediction of methane going to be produced by grain-fed cattle on Australian diets in Australian feedlots," Professor Cowley said. Being able to track the emissions more accurately means farmers can adjust their cattle's methane-emitting diets. ALFA president Grant Garey said it was a significant win for the whole industry, solidifying Australia's reputation in all global markets. "It's a practical win for lot feeders," Mr Garey said.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Meet the Climate Leaders Working to Cut Emissions
Today's newsletter looks at some of the climate leaders working to cut emissions and create a more equitable future. The full version of the story, which is part of Bloomberg Businessweek 's July 2025 edition, can be found on Also, we reflect on the life and work of Manfredi Caltagirone, one of the world's top diplomats on methane, who recently died at the age of 46.
