Twenty five bituminous coal beds are located and have been mined in eastern Oklahoma. The demonstrated coal reserves are 1.6 billion tons, or 0.3 percent of the U.S. coal reserves. About 8,000 square miles in Oklahoma have coal-bearing strata that are considered to be of commercial value. Seams range in thickness from 10 inches to 8 feet.

Coal production in 2009 was 956 thousand short tons from 11 permitted mines. One of the 11 producing mines was underground, two were contour surface mines on gently sloping topography, and the remaining eight were area surface mines.

• Regulation and Reclamation

  • The Oklahoma Department of Mines has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to active coal mining in the State of Oklahoma.

    The Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Abandoned Mine Land Program, has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to abandoned coal mines in the State of Oklahoma.

• State Contacts

  • Oklahoma
    Abandoned Mine Lands (Title IV)	Regulatory (Title V)
    State Program Links
    Oklahoma Conservation Commission - AML
    Oklahoma Department of Mines

• Grants

  • Oklahoma grant reports and related documents are contained in the official grant file maintained at the:

    Mid-Continent Region
    501 Belle Street, Suite 215
    Alton, IL 62002
    
    Telephone: (618) 463-6460
    Fax: (618) 463-6470

    They can be reviewed during normal business hours. Alternatively, these documents can be requested through the Tulsa Field Office and a copy of the grant file will be made available. The copy may be requested in paper or electronic format.

• Oversight

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    What is Oversight?

    OSMRE defines "oversight", as the "process of evaluating and assisting states [and tribes] in the administration, implementation, and maintenance of approved programs. In collaboration with each state/tribe, OSMRE develops a Performance Agreement/Evaluation Plan tailored to the unique conditions of each state/tribe program. Performance Agreements/Evaluation Plans between OSM and the states establish how oversight is conducted during each evaluation year.

    Learn more about OSMRE's National Oversight Program.

    Oversight Documents

    To view oversight documents visit, OSMRE's REG-8 Oversight Database: