Office of Conservation

Injection & Mining Division >> Surface Mining Section

Surface Mining Section

Danielle Duhe
Petroleum Scientist

 

Contact
Information

Voice   (225) 342-5515
 Fax     (225) 342-3094

Physical Address
Office of Conservation-9th Floor
Injection & Mining Division
Surface Mining Section
617 N. 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70802

Postal Address
Office of Conservation
Injection & Mining Division
Surface Mining Section
P.O. Box 94275
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70804-9275

  Report an Emergency

Louisiana
Lignite Mines


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The Section's primary objectives are to ensure that coal mines are operated in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during coal mining and assures that the land is restored to beneficial use following coal mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining through reclamation of abandoned mines. It operates under the requirements of the Louisiana Surface Mining and Reclamation Act and the Louisiana Surface Mining Regulations. To carry out this mission, the Section is divided into the following two Programs.

Surface Mining Regulatory Program >>

The Surface Mining Regulatory Program has exclusive jurisdiction over all aspects of surface coal mining and reclamation operations, with oversight from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining.  Although the Surface Mining Regulatory Program does not have regulatory authority to permit solid minerals (including sand and gravel) mines, we encourage anyone interested in operating a non-coal mine in the state of Louisiana to refer to the Non-Coal Mining Information page for important information.

Abandoned Mine Lands Program >>

The Abandoned Mine Lands Program was established to identify and reclaim abandoned surface coal mines.  In the absence of any abandoned coal mines, the Section focuses on conducting inventory surveys and reclamation planning of non-coal mines, such as abandoned sand and gravel sites.

Rules and Regulations
Permit LSM-5: Five Forks Mine, Saline, LA
An example of mining progression, reclamation of previously mined land is seen in the forefront, and a sediment pond and active mining pit are in the background. (Aug 2019)
Permit LSM-1-A: Oxbow Mine, Pelican, LA
In April 2018, a dragline was transported across a bridge over Bayou Pierre from one side of the permit to another.