In 1993, SERM released Reclamation and Licencing Guidelines for Saskatchewan Strip Mined Coal Lands . Once the land has been reclaimed and revegetated, the company may apply to the Minister for a release from further reclamation requirements. Another problem associated with mining is the dusting of coal. This problem has been minimized by careful handling and storage of coal. Coal destined for export is sprayed with a latex sealer during rail transportation.
Dust raised by heavy trucks on haul roads is reduced by water spraying.
There is only a small amount of methane emissions during mining, because the lignite deposits of this province are shallow and of low rank. As well, acid mine drainage, a significant problem in eastern North American mines, is not a problem in Saskatchewan because of the coal's low sulphur content and other properties. The Resource Itself Coal produced in the United States contains eight times more sulphur than domestic coal. Sulphur emissions contribute to the problem of acid rain. In the past few years, Ontario hydro has begun to burn low-sulphur thermal coal from Western Canada, which includes coal from Saskatchewan, for electricity.