The paper summarizes current research on abandoned underground coal mines. It forms an initial basis for developing an inventory of methane emissions from such mines. Early measurements have shown that some abandoned coal mines can liberate large volumes of high quality gas (up to 750,000 cu ft/day: 21,000 cu m/day). The research has focused on developing improved emission factors and relationships, and improving inventories for methane emissions from surface mining, coal handling, and abandoned underground mines. The work has initially focused on coal mining in the U.S., but will be extended to global coal production. Improved emissions inventories for coal mining operations will enhance the ability of researchers to assess the significance of coal mining in global scale processes. Determination of representative methane emissions relationships and mechanisms for coal mining (especialy abandoned mines) will also be useful to researchers and industrial groups exploring for potential sources of energy.