Mining and Land Reclamation Continues in Missouri

A woman stands below a culvert that is empting water onto the ground. Large limestone rocks are below the culvert to prevent erosion. The Woman is taking water samples and is holding two plastic water collection bottles.

Development of Missouri’s abundant limestone supply is just one example of the important role geology plays in our state’s economy. The department’s Missouri Geological Survey produces and disseminates geologic and hydrologic information related to limestone and other important mineral resources to facilitate responsible development.

The department’s Land Reclamation Program issues permits to mine the resources, verifies that mineral resources are extracted in an environmentally sound manner through various regulatory activities and makes certain that mine lands are ultimately reclaimed for beneficial use. 

The program works with the Missouri Mining Commission, a governing body that represents the governor and the department in matters related to mineral extraction regulations. The department is also a member of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission, a multi-state governmental organization supporting natural resources and related environmental protection, mine safety and health interests of its member states.

Missouri has approximately 36,000 acres of mines dedicated to industrial minerals, including limestone, gravel and clay quarries. There also are 1,950 acres of coal-mined land that require monthly inspections. The market for Missouri coal is limited; only one producing coal mine remains, with six other mines in reclamation.

A wide view of a field that has been stripped of all vegetation. The ground is covered with fresh fill dirt. A low spot holds water.
Before: Final grading nears completion on the 35-acre abandoned coal mine land site, where gently rolling hills and a water impoundment will replace the steep ridges and valleys that existed before. MoDNR photo by Ben Nickelson
The same field from the previous photograph. The bare dirt has been replaced with lush grassy vegetation. The low spot of water is now a fully-filled pond.
After: Reclamation efforts culminate in a newly-established prairie, with a small lake suitable for wildlife habitat and livestock water supply. MoDNR photo by Ben Nickelson

Although coal mining in Missouri has decreased in recent years, the need to reclaim any land previously disturbed by strip mining remains. Businesses and communities have worked diligently with the department to clean up these mines. In fact, more than 5,000 cumulative acres have been returned to productive use through 2022. 

In 2022, the program received approximately $2.8 million in funds from a federal coal tax that has allowed continued efforts to clean up coal-mined lands affected prior to 1977.

A project completed in November 2021 reclaimed approximately 35 acres of abandoned coal mine lands. A dam that had breached and washed out a public road was re-established, mitigating the release of polluted waters from the previously mined land to the downstream creek network. This returned what had become an iron-rich, sediment-laden marshy creek back to a water impoundment suitable for wildlife habitat and livestock water supply.

When asked whether he believed the use of federal coal tax funds was appropriate for the type of work conducted on his property, landowner Mick Massa responded, “Yes, I think some of these old [coal] works need some work done on them.” As for his opinion of the work completed by the program, he said, “it was better than I expected. I’m 100% satisfied.”

Learn more about mining, land reclamation and the commissions on the department’s Mining and Land Reclamation webpage.

  • A portrait of a woman.

    Hylan Beydler is a retired division information officer with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Missouri Geological Survey.

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