---
title: Remining
description: "# Remining Remining is any operation where additional mining occurs subsequent to the original mining or site abandonment regardless of the existence or quality of mine discharges. However, the term *remining* primarily refers to surface mining of abandoned surface or underground mines…"
url: "https://aml-connect.org/aml-knowledge-base/remining-2/"
updated: "2026-01-13"
category: "AML Reclamation & AMD Treatment / AMD Treatment / Reclamation and Remediation"
---

# Remining

# Remining

Remining is any operation where additional mining occurs subsequent to the original mining or site abandonment regardless of the existence or quality of mine discharges. However, the term *remining* primarily refers to surface mining of abandoned surface or underground mines or reprocessing of coal refuse piles where preexisting pollution discharges will be affected.

In Pennsylvania, remining has proven to be a very valuable tool in addressing AML and AMD problems.   By allowing coal operators to extract remaining coal for its value in exchange for reclamation of the remined sites, a win-win situation exists that gives the coal operator an opportunity to mine coal that would normally would go untouched because of potential liabilities, and the citizens a no or little cost reclamation of land often accompanied by improvements in water quality.

**Brochures from [WPCAMR](http://www.wpcamr.org/):**
» [Remining for Abandoned Mine Reclamation](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/remining/wpcamr-remining.pdf) ([PDF](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/remining/wpcamr-remining.pdf) or [HTML](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/remining/wpcamr-remining.htm))
» [Burning Waste Coal in CFB Power Plants](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/cfb/wpcamr-cfbpower.pdf) ([PDF](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/cfb/wpcamr-cfbpower.pdf) or [HTML](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/cfb/wpcamr-cfbpower.html))

**Effectiveness of Pennsylvania's remining program in abating abandoned mine drainage: water quality impacts**
M.W. Smith, District mining manager, PADEP, Hawk Run, Pennsylvania
K.B.C. Brady, Hydrogeologist, PADEP, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
J.W. Hawkins, Hydrogeologist, OSMRE, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

**Abstract    **[Click here for entire paper](http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/Remining-SmithBradyHawkins.pdf)

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) has been issuing surface mining permits since 1984 that authorize remining in areas that will affect preexisting pollutional discharges. These permits require the mine operator to employ best management practices to reduce pollution loading from abandoned mine discharges. A total of 110 completed mining operations with 233 discharges were evaluated to determine the impact to water quality. Overall, acid loading, from these discharges was reduced by 7,200 kg (15,900 lbs) per day or 61%. Metal loading were also reduced. For acidity, 49% of discharges improved or were eliminated, 52% showed no significant change and fewer than 1% got worse. Loading reductions resulted from a combination of reduced concentrations and lower flows.

[Remining Coal](http://www.leo.lehigh.edu/envirosci/enviroissue/amd/links/remining.html) on Lehigh Earth Observatory's Envirosci Inquiry website

**Remining Fact Sheets from PA Dept. of Environmental Protection:**
* [Pennsylvania's Remining Incentives](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/pubs/mrm/fs2313.doc)
* [Remining Bonding Incentives](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/bmr/rembondincfs.htm)
* [Alternative Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Programs](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/factsheets/fs2320.pdf)

EPA Summary Paper [OVERVIEW OF THE COAL MINING AND REMINING REGULATIONS](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/minrec/mrab_2004/epa_effluent_limitations_summary_paper.pdf)

From [Coal Mine Drainage Prediction and Pollution Prevention in Pennsylvania](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/districts/cmdp/main.htm)
[Chapter 17 Remining](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/districts/cmdp/chap17.html) by Jay Hawkins, OSM

Discussion Paper on [Water Quality Issues Related to Coal Remining](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/minrec/mrab_1998/discussion.htm)

[Remining and Rreclamation Incentives](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/rec_final_regulations/rr_incent_annex.htm) in Pennsylvania law

[DEP Tackles Mining Reclamation with a Cache of Incentives](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/polycomm/update/08-27-99/08279931.htm)

[Possible Initiatives to Increase Remining and Expand AML Program Funding Options](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/minrec/mrab_1997/initiatives.doc)

[**2004 REMINING INCENTIVES REPORT**](http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/advcoun/minrec/mrab_2005/apr28/2004%20report%20draft%20feb%2016%202005.pdf) about the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Prepared for **Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee** by
**Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Mineral Resources Management**

**[Remining In Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Costs and Water Quality Changes](http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/landrec/remining.htm)** by Jeff Skousen (WVU Professor of Soil Science and Land Reclamation Specialist), Robert Hedin (Hedin Environmental, Pittsburgh), and Ben Faulkner (Bratton Farms, Princeton, WV). It appeared in the summer 1997 issue of *Green Lands *magazine.

![](https://i0.wp.com/amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/landreclamation/remining/daylighting-lowres.jpg)