A sedimentation pond is used to reduce sediment leaving the mine site, by allowing the sediment to settle out into the bottom of the pond before the water flows downstream. The law requires that surface-mined land must be returned to a condition matching or improving its original use. The mines are inspected every month by the DEQ, and they are required to file annual reports outlining what activities have taken place on the mine site during the year. Nationwide, over two million acres of mined lands have been reclaimed and returned to productive uses in the past fifteen years. This is more land than the entire state of Delaware.
Reclamation is a major part of the coal mining operation.
Powder River Coal Company , as well as other surface coal mining companies, work on the principle that every inch of land that is disturbed in the mining process will be restored to as good or better condition when they have finished mining the area. Like all other surface coal mines, Powder River Coal Company is required to obtain many federal, state, and local government permits. Engineers at the mines conduct surveys and analyze the site. Any archeological artifacts are also protected. When the engineers survey a site for future mining and locate archeological artifacts, they must then investigate the site to determine if there is anything there with a possible historical significance.