The surface mine law says non prime land must be returned to 95 percent of pre-mining productivity. prime farm land has a 100 percent productivity requirement.
A coal miner must put up (via insurance) a five year bond on the post mining land to keep it stable and erosion free. If the reclaimed land exhibits any problem, the state can seize the bond and make repairs.
Fair enough. After I wrote that i remembered seeing pictures of a dragline moving over some pretty good looking land.
Never spent much time up in that country. Been there, don’t want to go back.