Methane Leaks
Coal · 20 Aug 2023

Methane plume detected in Kazakhstan

On 20 Aug 2023, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 3,439 kg/h from a coal mine.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in Kazakhstan
Map imagery © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap © MaxarOpen the interactive map →

3,439 kg/h
± 1,734 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 82.5 tonnes of methane.

Detected
20 Aug 2023 · 05:24 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Coal
Wind
Plume drifting towards the E · 3.0 m/s
Coordinates
49.84089, 73.09805
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
7f82b86a-1368-489b-965f-8cc77b5d3008

Likely operator

Qarmet Plausible

Qarmet (formerly ArcelorMittal Temirtau) runs the Karaganda underground coal mines.

Emitting site

KAZ_S_032 · Venting shaft
2 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.

Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.

Push for action

Find the operator's contact details and send a ready-made, evidence-based email in about two minutes.

Write to the operator →

Authorities you can notify

Is this attribution wrong?

If you operate this site, or know who does, tell us. Operators get a right of reply, and corrections are reviewed within a week.

Get alerts for KAZ_S_032

We'll email you when UNEP publishes new plumes here. No account needed. Unsubscribe in one click.

We only use your email to send these alerts.

Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 7f82b86a-1368-489b-965f-8cc77b5d3008, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/7f82b86a-1368-489b-965f-8cc77b5d3008), accessed 5 Oct 2026.