Underground Coal Gasification — UCG — changes that logic. Instead of digging the coal out, it heats the coal where it lies and turns it into a valuable synthetic gas. Air or oxygen goes down one well, into the seam. The sSyngas comes back up a second well. No one needs to go underground. And the surface land is largely untouched.

The debate about coal’s place in the energy transition is too often viewed through an ideological lens: coal bad, renewables good, everything else a delay tactic. That’s not the real world. The International Energy Agency’s own projections suggest fossil fuels will meet around 80 per cent of global energy needs for at least the next forty years. Coal is a big slice of that. In many cases there isn’t any alternative to keep the lights on. If that is true, the real question is not whether the world uses coal. It is how. And on that question, UCG deserves far more attention than it gets.

What the Numbers Actually Say

Multiple independent lifecycle assessments provide the data points. UCG-based power generation emits about 28% less greenhouse gas over its full lifecycle than conventional pulverized coal combustion, the technology still running most of the world’s coal-fired plants. It’s the result of cutting out the dirtiest phases of the coal supply chain before they happen — this isn’t about carbon capture or offsets.

Those eliminated phases carry more weight than people assume. Blasting, hauling, crushing, conveying — mining coal burns a lot of energy before a single ton reaches a furnace. Add the diesel and bunker fuel spent moving coal by road, rail and sea to power stations thousands of kilometers away, and the gap widens further. Compare UCG directly against surface coal gasification and UCG needs 38.8 per cent less energy to produce the same output.

By exploiting the coal in the ground, UCG removes the mine, the transport chain, the coal stockpile, the fly ash lagoon, and the post-combustion flue gas treatment.

The land story is just stark. A conventional coal mine permanently reshapes the surface: removing overburden; piling up spoil; stacking up dams to hold the waste. All UCG leaves are drill pads. And the underground void it does leave behind can even be an asset. Studies in China put the potential CO2 storage capacity of UCG-created subsurface pores at somewhere between 29 billion and 102 billion tones, more again if fly ash infill is used. The mine that never existed can become a carbon sink.

The Air We Breathe

The story isn’t only about climate change or land disfigurement. The difference in air quality between UCG and conventional coal combustion is transformational. Burn coal at the surface and the products of combustion — particulate matter, Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury — have to be cleaned up after the fact, through flue gas treatment that is expensive and never quite complete. The smallest particles, PM2.5 and PM10, slip through even well-maintained filters and end up in the lungs and bloodstreams of people who live near the plant. A Harvard study put the cost of fossil fuel air pollution at around 8.7 million premature deaths a year.

UCG syngas is cleaned before anyone burns itthem. Sulphur and nitrogen compounds and nitrogen oxides come out upstream, at the gas processing facility, more efficiently and more cheaply than any post-combustion system can manage. By the time the gas reaches a power station or a chemical plant, its air quality profile looks like natural gas, not coal. Particulate emissions at the point of combustion are negligible. Fly ash does not exist, because there is no surface combustion left to produce it.

A lifecycle endpoint assessment comparing UCG with Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle technology found UCG produced 23 per cent lower ecosystem quality impacts, 15 per cent lower human health impacts, and 4 per cent lower resource depletion impacts.

A Bridge with Its Own Exit Built In

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs recognized UCG’s potential as far back as 2007, when it convened a capacity-building workshop in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Governments, research institutes and industry from ten countries attended, including Australia, China, India, Canada and the United States. The resulting Almaty Concept Note described UCG as enhancing “flexibility in the transition to a low-carbon energy economy,” and noted that its product gas “easily lends itself to CO2 removal by a range of standard methods, with low energy penalty and at a relatively low cost.” [6]

That line points to UCG’s most useful environmental feature: it was built for carbon capture. In conventional coal combustion, CO2 sits diluted at low pressure inside the flue gas, expensive to separate. In UCG, CO2 comes out of the syngas stream concentrated and under pressure, which makes capturing it before combustion straightforward and cheap. Couple UCG with carbon capture and storage, and its lifecycle greenhouse performance has been shown to beat natural gas-based steam methane reforming with CCS. Near-zero emissions from UCG are not a theoretical hope. It is an engineering achievement.

UCG also opens industrial decarbonization routes that conventional coal simply cannot offer. In fertilizer manufacturing, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and synthetic methane production, pulling CO2 out of UCG syngas is a routine step in the process.

The Choice Was Never Coal or No Coal

The energy transition will not happen overnight. It will take decades, and for all those decades the coal already in the ground will remain a resource that governments, investors and communities want to use. The real question is whether they use it the most destructive way available — open-cut mining, rail transport, pulverized combustion, flue gas scrubbing, ash lagoon disposal — or the way the evidence consistently says is better, across every measure that matters.

UCG development does not require anyone to love coal. It simply requires honesty about the difference between digging coal up and leaving it exactly where it is, while still drawing out its energy from a distance.

The distinction is clear: twenty-eight per cent less greenhouse gas from UCG than conventional coal combustion. Thirty-nine per cent less energy than surface gasification. Zero surface mining. Near-zero particulates. Pre-combustion CO2 captured cheaply. Underground voids suitable for permanent carbon storage. And the ability to pull energy out of coal seams too deep, too thin or too poor for any mine to ever reach, without paying the environmental price of trying.

That is not the case for fossil fuels. It is a case for benefitting from coal where it lies: under the plains of South Australia, Brazil, USA, China or everywhere else like it.

The author is an expert in energy and natural resources who has advised governments and major corporations across the world on strategy and policy. He requested to remain anonymous owing to the nature of his ongoing work.

South African firm Grindrod will invest $80 million over two years to expand the Matola Coal Terminal at Maputo Port from 8 million to 12 million tonnes annually. President Daniel Chapo, at the launch of new administrative facilities, emphasised prioritising rail over road to boost efficiency and regional competitiveness. The investment aims to create 800 direct jobs by 2027 and enhance sustainable development through integrated logistics.

Jihadist attacks in Mozambique as Total plans gas project restart

Islamic State-linked militants have renewed attacks in northern Mozambique, including deadly raids on military posts and a wildlife reserve, as TotalEnergies prepares to restart its major gas project. Analysts link the violence to recent announcements, including $4.7 billion in new funding from the US.

Mozambique keeps key interest rate steady at 18% in June

Mozambique’s benchmark interest rate for credit will remain at 18% in June, according to the Mozambican Banking Association (AMB). The rate has fallen steadily from 24.1% in January 2024, with a 0.5 percentage point cut in May and earlier in March. The AMB kept it steady at 19% in February and April. This decline follows reductions in the central bank’s monetary policy interest rate (MIMO rate), which dropped from 12.25% in January to 11.75% in March, reflecting continued low inflation expectations despite fiscal risks. Meanwhile, credit to the economy rose slightly in March to nearly 285 billion meticais (€3.99 billion), after a notable drop in February.

Government settles all unpaid debt service from 2024

Mozambique fully cleared its 2024 external debt arrears in Q1 2025 , paying $210.34 million (€185.6 million) in principal and interest, according to a Ministry of Finance report. Over half of the €47.3 million in unpaid debt was owed to Portugal. Payment delays had been blamed on post-election unrest and budget shortfalls. The report warns of added fiscal pressure in 2025 due to residual obligations and debt management system limitations.

Chapo wants fewer trucks, more trains to the port of Maputo

Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo has called the growing use of road transport for coal and magnetite to the Matola Coal Terminal “unacceptable,” urging a return to boost efficiency and competitiveness. Speaking at the inauguration of Grindrod’s new office and the launch of an $80 million expansion, Chapo stressed that Matola’s infrastructure was built for rail. He also highlighted the $160 million container terminal project and the broader port expansion under the 25-year extension of the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) concession, which includes $600 million in planned investments. MPDC aims to modernise facilities, reduce logistics costs, and create new jobs, reinforcing Mozambique’s role as a logistics hub in southern Africa.

Residents of Limay, Bataan, Philippines, continue to grapple with severe health issues and economic difficulties attributed to the coal-fired power plants situated nearby. These plants largely serve as suppliers of electricity to other provinces. The nation's reliance on coal remains significant, constituting 57% of the energy mix, with a troubling increase to 61.9% in 2023. Despite commitments made at COP28 to elevate renewable energy sources to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, coal predominates, making the Philippines the foremost coal-dependent nation in Southeast Asia. The government has enacted a moratorium on new coal plants; however, expansions of existing facilities persist. The Department of Energy (DOE) is attempting to pivot towards renewable energy by enhancing incentives for clean energy investments, Dialogue Earth reports.

New Black Hawk helicopters to counter China

On a different note, the Philippines has bolstered its air force capabilities with the acquisition of five Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, delivered on December 9, 2024. This acquisition is part of a notable contract signed in 2021 for a total of 32 units within the Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition program. These helicopters are notably versatile and equipped for a range of operational missions such as troop transport, medical evacuations, and disaster response, serving as replacements for older, less efficient models. Notably, the S-70i helicopters are powered by T700-GE-701D engines, accommodating up to 13 passengers and boasting advanced features, including infrared jammers and digital cockpit technology. The overall contract, valued at $624 million, as reported by Global Defense News , will increase the Philippine Air Force's active Black Hawk fleet to 48 by the year 2026, significantly supporting the military's modernisation initiatives and enhancing capacity in both security and humanitarian missions.

Philippines ratifies defence pact with Japan, amid China tensions

The Philippines has ratified a historic defence pact with Japan, designed to facilitate mutual troop deployments for military exercises amid escalating tensions with China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which was signed in July and subsequently approved by the Philippine Senate, aims to strengthen collaborative military operations, particularly in the domain of maritime patrols. The pact is anticipated to enhance the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while fostering closer collaboration with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, particularly in addressing security concerns within the South China Sea region. Emphasising stability and adhering to a rules-based international order, both nations are navigating the complexities presented by China, which has expressed criticism of the agreement. The RAA will come into effect following signature by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and ratification by the Japanese legislature, reports Benar News .

Gathering of angels in the Philippines breaks world record

A remarkable cultural achievement emerged from San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines when the municipality set a new Guinness World Record for the largest assembly of individuals dressed as angels. This record-breaking event occurred at the Victory Coliseum, where participation exceeded 2,000 individuals, surpassing the previous record of 1,275 established in 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. According to UPI , the successful confirmation of this record was undertaken by a Guinness adjudicator, highlighting the local community's commitment to cultural expression and collective celebration.

Filipina drugs convict nearly executed in Indonesia to return home Dec 18

Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia, is slated to return to the Philippines on December 18, after nearly nine years since her execution was postponed following requests for her case to be reviewed. Veloso, apprehended in 2010 for drug trafficking, has persistently claimed victimhood status in a human trafficking scheme. Her repatriation is a result of a bilateral agreement between Indonesia and the Philippines, allowing for her transfer into Filipino custody, although immediate plans for reciprocal prisoner exchanges are not in place. Benar News highlights that his development closely follows the return of five Australian prisoners involved in the 'Bali Nine' drug trafficking case, with both transfers adhering to agreements that respect the judicial decisions of each nation and the concept of reciprocity in future exchanges.

Gold businesses in Vietnam must implement electronic invoices connected to the tax authorities by June 15 or face licence revocation. According to Hanoi Times , the government is cracking down on small-scale transactions involving precious metals lacking proper documentation. Additionally, the CEO of SJC suggests removing the gold monopoly provision from Decree No. 24/2022 to facilitate gold trading businesses producing their gold bars.

6G technology

Vietnam is focusing on shifting from traditional telecommunications infrastructure to advanced digital technology. The country is investing in digital innovation, including research into 6G technology and establishing a 6G Steering Committee, Vietnam News reported. Telecoms carriers are also receiving licenses to deploy 5G nationwide. The government is committed to actively participating in the global development of 6G technology to pave the way for a new industry in the country.

Former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long

Former Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long received a reduced sentence of 17 years for accepting bribes in the Viet A case appeal. The General Director of Viet A Company, Phan Quoc Viet, had his 29-year prison sentence upheld for violating bidding regulations and offering bribes. Viet A company leaders admitted to inflating the prices of COVID-19 test kits and bribing health officials. According to Vietnam Plus , the company sold over 4.5 million test kits, losing 1,235 billion VND (48.35 million USD). The Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Agency froze transactions and deposits linked with the case.

Miss National Vietnam

The Miss National Vietnam 2024 competition invited unmarried women aged 18-27 to compete. The event aims to showcase Vietnamese culture and lifestyle while promoting confidence and talent among young women. The competition will be broadcast on television and radio, with preliminary and semi-final rounds leading up to the final event in December, Vietnam News reported. The judging panel includes former beauty pageant winners, who will also support the contestants during the competition.

Coal exports

In April, Vietnam's coal exports reached a record $29.4 million, with 109,219 tonnes, Connect Vietnam reports. This is a significant increase from the previous month. Japan is the largest importer, with Vietnam also exporting to the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Vietnam has significant coal reserves, especially in Quảng Ninh Province. The Ministry of Industry and Trade projects an increase in demand for coal until 2030 before it gradually decreases. It is expected that Vietnam will need to import coal to meet demand.

The report titled ‘Renewables 2023: Analysis and Forecast to 2028 ’ further highlights the significant milestones in achieving this global shift over three to five years, between 2024 and 2028.

In 2024, the report forecasts a historic moment as variable renewable generation outpaces the traditionally dominant hydropower. This will mark a crucial shift in the energy paradigm, highlighting the increasing demand for diverse renewable sources in the global power mix.

Later in 2025, renewable energy is set to surpass coal-fired electricity generation. This shift reflects a substantial stride towards sustainable energy practices, emphasising the global commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Continuing in the same year, wind energy is projected to outperform nuclear electricity generation. This underlines the growing significance of wind power as a major contributor to the world's energy needs.

In 2026, the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector is expected to achieve a significant milestone by surpassing nuclear electricity generation. The increasing efficiency and affordability of solar technology play a significant role in this transformative shift toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

The IEA projects a conclusion to the shift in 2028, as solar PV is projected to overtake wind electricity generation. This milestone emphasises the accelerating growth and widespread adoption of solar power in the global energy landscape. Solar PV is a non-mechanical device designed to directly convert sunlight into electricity.

The report reads in part, “Over the forecast period, potential renewable electricity generation growth exceeds global demand growth, indicating a slow decline in coal-based generation while natural gas remains stable. In 2028, renewable energy sources will account for 42% of global electricity generation, with wind and solar PV making up 25%. In 2028, hydropower will remain the largest renewable electricity source. While renewables are currently the largest energy source for electricity generation in 57 countries, mostly thanks to hydropower, these countries represent just 14% of global power demand. By 2028, 68 countries will have renewables as their main power generation source, but they still only account for 17% of global demand.”

With nations increasingly adopting renewable energy policies and working towards achieving these milestones, the renewable energy revolution is set to leave a mark on the history of global power generation.