Methane plume detected in South Africa
On 17 Sep 2025, the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 53,000 kg/h from a coal mine.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 1,272 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 17 Sep 2025 · 11:41 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA
- Sector
- Coal
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the E · 5.9 m/s
- Coordinates
- -26.58, 29.28
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
d4fdf7a2-948c-41cc-bda0-3357dbf2fe84
Likely operator
Sasol Plausible
Sasol Mining supplies the Secunda synfuels complex from adjacent collieries.
Status
UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.
Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.
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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume d4fdf7a2-948c-41cc-bda0-3357dbf2fe84, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/d4fdf7a2-948c-41cc-bda0-3357dbf2fe84), accessed 5 Oct 2026.