Mining restoration (also known as mining reclamation) is the process of returning mined land to an economically or environmentally usable state. It begins when the mine is decommissioned, but the vast majority of mines begin planning the restoration process long before then

Proper restoration techniques start even before the mine is built. For example, part of the planning phase involves surveying the land to determine how much usable soil there is. The next step involves storing the soil so it can be returned during restoration.

Once the mine is decommissioned, restoration essentially involves returning all stored materials to their original locations. This process can take several years, particularly with infrastructure removal, although it’s possible to have an open-pit mine fully restored in less than two years.