## 4 Results and Discussion
### SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis
In addition, the complex geological characteristics may differ radically from those of other countries, posing many technological restrictions on the development of LCBM. Therefore, due to the complexity and lack offlce in unconventional resources compared to conventional ones, there are many challenges that require the use of appropriate knowledge in order to start the production. Moreover, LCBM exploration and development was slowed down due to fluctuations in global energy markets, limited policies, and other challenges related to \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**STRENGTHS** &
\begin{tabular}{l} **WEAKNESSES** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \(\bullet\) & LCBM extension lowers the level of risk of explosion in \\ active coal mines \\ \(\bullet\) & LCBM is a cleaner fuel with a lower carbon footprint as \\ \(\bullet\) & LCBM technology is an underdeveloped field \\ \(\bullet\) & There is no technological training on the LCBM extraction \\ \(\bullet\) & Secures energy autonomy of the country \\ \(\bullet\) & Smaller quantities of fuel from abroad are needed \\ \(\bullet\) & Protect social welfare \\ \hline \hline
**OPORTUNITIES** &
\begin{tabular}{l} **THREATS** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \(\bullet\) & Innovative technological solutions in collaboration with \\ \(\bullet\) & The University of Western Macedonia, Greece \\ \(\bullet\) & Sustainable development of the social, scientific, and \\ \(\bullet\) & Economic sectors \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: SWOT analysis regarding the LCBM technology development in Greece. the higher operating costs and low return on investments. Another issue to be considered is the development of transport infrastructure and hydraulic fracturing operations. The LCBM market development can offer many opportunities to the Western Macedonia region and generally to the whole country. Currently, the coal mining process of the region is characterized by a negative environmental impact, due to the emissions of greenhouse gases (CH\({}_{4}\) and CO\({}_{2}\)) into the atmosphere and the generation of large amounts of waste, water pollution, etc. [47]. The well designed and controlled LCBM exploitation from lignite's deposits offers a great opportunity to minimize the environmental impact of mining activities. In addition, innovative technological solutions in collaboration with the scientific community of the School of Engineering at Western Macedonia University (UOWM, Greece) towards safe LCBM extraction as well as methanation of CO\({}_{2}\) present in the extracted gas will contribute to the sustainable development of the social, scientific, and economic sectors of the country. As a matter of fact, scientific and research facilities at UOWM and other universities, working in close cooperation with mines, could result in a well-educated workforce and the improvement of employee competence. The development of a university program including several projects improving technical innovation, organization, and many other solutions for safety and implementation in practice could ensure a continuous supply of qualified personnel and workers to the LCBM industry. The threats are correlated with the challenges that the LCBM industry faces. An improper LCBM extraction can release great amounts of methane and CO\({}_{2}\) into the atmosphere, causing various environmental problems, such as global warming and tropospheric ozone formation. Environmental issues associated with the extraction of LCBM may vary during different stages of the production. They can start from the exploration of the field and development of facilities and continue through to the production operations. Regarding the exploration phase, the rational management of the aquifer during the drilling of the boreholes is quite difficult. Another environmental challenge that the LCBM industry faces is the large surface footprint created by the well thickness and surface infrastructure.