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Possessing the world's largest coal reserves, the Russian Federation is one of the leading coal producers. The largest and most important coal-producing region in Russia, the Kuzbass, located in the south-central part of the country, has coal reserves estimated to be on the order of 14.5 billion tonnes. The Asian section of Russia (east of the Ural Mountains) is likely to have some of the largest coal mine methane (CMM) and coalbed methane (CBM) resources in the world. While Russia is currently the world's 4th largest emitter of CMM, these emissions are expected to decrease over time.
EPA supports a CMM/CBM Clearinghouse in Russia, managed by the International Coal & Methane Research Center (Uglemetan 
) headquartered in Kemerovo. Uglemetan was established in April 2002 on the foundation created by the work of the Russian Coalbed Methane Center. Uglemetan is organized as an autonomous not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting CBM/CMM recovery and utilization in Russia and other countries of the Former Soviet Union.
More information on Russia's coal mine methane (PDF) >> (8 pp, 323K, About PDF)