Abandoned Mine Land Program
The Division's Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program implements Title IV of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). It is the intent of the AML program to reclaim and restore land and water resources and to protect the public from the adverse effects of pre-law (August 3, 1977) mining practices. This program is fully funded by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) through a production tax levied on active coal mining operations in Texas.
The Texas AML Program has certified completion of all known Priority 1 and 2 coal AML problems. The Program is now focusing its efforts on abandoned surface uranium mines in Karnes and Live Oak counties, and on abandoned underground hard rock mines in Brewster, Presidio and El Paso counties.
Reclamation of abandoned surface mines usually consists of the following: earthwork (highwall reduction and spoil recontouring) burial or treatment of unsuitable spoil (usually acidic or radioactive spoil), installation of erosion and water control structures and revegetation. Dangerous abandoned underground mine openings are usually closed by one of the following methods: backfilling, capping (concrete or metal grating), or metal gating.
As of March 2014, the Texas Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program has reclaimed 2,696 acres of abandoned surface mines and closed 413 dangerous abandoned underground mine openings at a construction cost of approximately $39M.
The Texas AML Program has certified completion of all known Priority 1 and 2 coal AML problems. The Program is now focusing its efforts on abandoned surface uranium mines in Karnes and Live Oak counties, and on abandoned underground hard rock mines in Brewster, Presidio and El Paso counties.
Reclamation of abandoned surface mines usually consists of the following: earthwork (highwall reduction and spoil recontouring) burial or treatment of unsuitable spoil (usually acidic or radioactive spoil), installation of erosion and water control structures and revegetation. Dangerous abandoned underground mine openings are usually closed by one of the following methods: backfilling, capping (concrete or metal grating), or metal gating.
As of March 2014, the Texas Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program has reclaimed 2,696 acres of abandoned surface mines and closed 413 dangerous abandoned underground mine openings at a construction cost of approximately $39M.
- AML Reclamation Bidding Opportunities
- Historical Coal Mining in Texas
- Texas AML Completed Projects
- Regulations and Statutes: Coal/Lignite, Uranium, Iron Ore
Last Updated: 8/13/2014 9:29:48 AM
