Methane plume detected in South Africa
On 2 Aug 2026, the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 26,000 kg/h from a coal mine.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 624 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 2 Aug 2026 · 12:08 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA
- Sector
- Coal
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the NE · 3.8 m/s
- Coordinates
- -26.53, 29.22
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
da4056d3-9365-4013-953c-7cbcf97d52d3
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 da4056d3-9365-4013-953c-7cbcf97d52d3, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/da4056d3-9365-4013-953c-7cbcf97d52d3), accessed 5 Oct 2026.