The purpose of the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program is to abate hazardous conditions on land or water resources that have been adversely affected by past non-coal (solid mineral) development practices and to protect and enhance the public health, safety and general welfare from these adverse effects by promoting the reclamation of mined areas left in an unreclaimed state.

The primary emphasis of the AML program is the identification and reclamation of abandoned surface coal mines. In 1980, Louisiana certified to the Department of the Interior that all abandoned coal reclamation was complete, and was granted permission to use funds to identify and reclaim abandoned solid mineral mine sites, such as abandoned sand and gravel mines.

More than 1,100 non-coal mines have been identified, ranging in size from a few acres to more than 1,000 acres in extent. Of these sites, approximately 500 present some type of safety or environmental hazard to the people of Louisiana.

• Inventory
• Field Assessments
• Reclamation Plans
• Search for funding and partnerships

• Risks Associated with Abandonded Mine Lands in Louisiana