The Division of Reclamation (DOR) is responsible for oversight of active coal mining and restoration of land disturbed for coal extraction (Regulatory Section); and, restores land mined for coal, but abandoned without full or proper reclamation (Restoration Section). These programs are a cooperative effort between Indiana and the federal Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM).
DOR also administers the state laws (IC 14-36) pertaining to the mining of clay, shale and oil shale. These are typically small operations impacting much smaller areas than a coal mine. Each permit is good for one year and is renewable. Post-mining land uses are predominately wildlife habitat and water.
