Reclaiming

After land has been used for mining, it must be reclaimed and restored to its previous condition or better. Mine reclamation minimizes the environmental effects of mining and is an essential modern mining process. Restoration of the land necessitates careful planning, surveying, and mapping. The basic objective of reclamation is to reestablish vegetative cover, soil stability, and water conditions at the site. Actions such as preserving surface drainage or careful control of water runoff during development can help the process.

During development, a company must fill out an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that posts a bond to cover the expected cost of reclaiming the land. Operators must restore the land to its approximate original contour or leave the land graded and suitable for higher and better post-mining use. Reclamation plans must include a monitoring program with a set schedule, as well as the following elements:

• The progress of reclamation throughout the mining and post-mining phases
• The effectiveness of erosion and sediment control and reclamation
• The status of the future land use
• The physical stability of the site

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.