At present, the company has managed coal production at over 16 million ROM tonnes per annum.

Four sites account for 74% of total CO2 emissions for the company – Tahmoor, Mandalong, Newstan and Munmorah – and particular emphasis has been placed on implementing or improving abatement projects at these sites.

Centennial’s greenhouse emissions are primarily from fugitive gas (88%) and electricity consumption (12%).

The emission rate for 2004-05 was 0.136 CO2-e tonnes per ROM tonne, compared to 0.135 CO2-e tonnes/ROM tonne for 2003-04.

“This minor increase is a result of revised mine operations; in particular, operations being conducted in areas of higher gas emissions,” the company said.

“During the current report period, longwall mining operations commenced in the West Wallarah seam at Mandalong in January 2005, and since April 2005 longwall mining operations at Tahmoor in the Bulli seam are now incorporated in the Centennial inventory.”

ROM coal production increased by 24% since the last reporting period.

Since Centennial assumed management control of Tahmoor, the onsite gas plant has abated over 45,000 tonnes CO2-e.

Centennial said the company had a number of other ongoing initiatives working to reduce its total greenhouse emissions.