Abandoned Mined Lands (AML) are lands that were mined prior to implementation of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) in 1977, but were inadequately reclaimed. Re-mining of AML is being conducted on a routine basis by coal-mining operations in eastern states such as Virginia. Re-mining is a potentially important means of reclaiming AML. However, under current policies, re-mining operations often fail to permit and reclaim priority I, 2, and 3 AML, especially those areas which present the most severe enviromnental problems. This paper describes policy issues which affect the potential for AML reclamation by re-mining operations in mountainous mining areas, such as Virginia; efforts underway in Virginia which seek to resolve those issues; and progress achieved to date under that initiative.

Abstract. Advances of coal-mine reclamation practice commonly involve scientists who conduct mining and reclamation research, industry reclamation specialists who apply those scientific advances in the field, and regulatory agency personnel who must approve of those changes by interpreting state and federal laws. In the state of Virginia, interactions between the Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamation and Virginia Tech researchers have enabled adjustments of regulatory procedures to accommodate research findings. Elements of those interactions include (1) development of research designs that consider regulatory issues while addressing scientific principles; (2) effective communication between researchers and regulators prior to and during research, and in response to research findings; and (3) cooperative involvement by university and state-agency personnel in communicating practical implications of research findings to federal agencies and industry.