How mine reclamation works
Companies have to set aside money — typically in the form of a bond held by the state — before mining begins to ensure they’ll have enough money for reclamation when mining ends.
Backfilling, soil replacement and recontouring
Companies are required to refill pits when mining has finished, replacing the soil in the same order it was removed — a complex but crucial step in returning the land to its former state. If companies successfully refill pits, the state returns 60% of the bond money.
Seeding and monitoring
Next, the company is required to plant grasses or other vegetation similar to what’s growing nearby.
Reclamation requirements
If land is designated as...
Pastureland
Industrial/Commercial
Soil sampling
Is testing required to check for toxic materials?
Required
Not Required
Vegetation ground cover
90%
Sufficient to control erosion
How much vegetation is required on the land?
Monitoring period
5 years for land that receives more than 26 inches of rain annually
No monitoring required
10 years for land that receives less than 26 inches of rain annually
If the above requirements are met, the state returns more of the bond money
Final bond money released
The state then requires that streams and groundwater pass tests to detect contaminants. If all conditions are met based on the type of land use, the rest of the bond money is released.
How mine reclamation works
Companies have to set aside money — typically in the form of a bond held by the state — before mining begins to ensure they’ll have enough money for reclamation when mining ends.
Backfilling, soil replacement and recontouring
Companies are required to refill pits when mining has finished, replacing the soil in the same order it was removed — a complex but crucial step in returning the land to its former state. If companies successfully refill pits, the state returns 60 percent of the bond money.
Seeding and monitoring
Next, the company is required to plant grasses or other vegetation similar to what’s growing nearby.
Reclamation requirements
If land is designated as...
Industrial/
Commercial
Pastureland
Soil sampling
Is testing required to check for toxic materials?
Not Required
Required
Vegetation ground cover
How much vegetation is required on the land?
Sufficient to control erosion
90%
Monitoring period
5 years for land that receives more than 26 inches of rain annually
No monitoring required
10 years for land that receives less than 26 inches of rain annually
If the above requirements are met, the state returns more of the bond money
Final bond money released
The state then requires that streams and groundwater pass tests to detect contaminants. If all conditions are met based on the type of land use, the rest of the bond money is released.