Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program
The Land Reclamation Section of the TDEC Division of Mineral & Geologic Resources administers Tennessee's Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program. The AML program is responsible for reclaiming those mine sites that have been designated as "abandoned", meaning those sites which have been mined prior to surface mining laws, those sites with no reclamation bond, or those sites where there is no continuing obligation to the mine operator(s). Both appropriated state dollars and federal grant dollars from the U.S. Department of Interior's Office of Surface Mining (www.osmre.gov) are used to reclaim the sites. With an annual budget of approximately 11 million dollars, the Land Reclamation Section administers around 10 reclamation contracts each year. Land Reclamation staff identify potential reclamation project sites, design reclamation plans and specifications for those sites, and inspect the reclamation work as it progresses.
Landowners with concerns about abandoned mine lands on their property are encouraged to contact the Tennessee AML Program by calling 1-865-594-6035 or emailing TDEC.AML@tn.gov.
Buyer Beware!
If you are considering purchasing property in the Tennessee coalfield and suspect mining may have occurred on the site, you can contact the TN AML Program for information of known mining activity from our available records.
Disclaimer on Pre-Law Mining Information:
Coal mining has occurred in Tennessee for well over 150 years, and it was unregulated prior to 1977. There is no complete or authoritative inventory of pre-law mining impacts. The information on the maps provided comes from a number of sources such as old mine maps, company records, site visits, and computer analysis. These records may not be complete or 100% accurate. Abandoned mines can be hazardous, and no guarantee about the safety or stability of the properties can be made.
Accomplishments
Since its inception in 1981, the Tennessee Land Reclamation Section has reclaimed over 5,300 acres of abandoned mine lands at a cost of $66 million dollars. Approximately 1,265 acres have been reclaimed using $15 million of state appropriated monies and matching funds, while 4,050 acres have been reclaimed with $51 million in federal grant dollars.