Along with the rest of society, mining companies have become much more environmentally responsible over the past decades. They operate according to comprehensive, provincially approved reclamation plans and follow stringent standards regarding air quality, ground water and surface water.

Several years before a mine starts, planning begins with environmental impact assessments, public consultations and thorough reviews by regulatory agencies. Environmental specialists start the process by performing comprehensive studies of existing ecosystems to identify sensitivities and potential impacts. They establish baseline information for surface and ground water, soils, climate, local land use and existing social and economic conditions. This information is used to choose the best site for the mine and to develop environmental protection and reclamation plans for the area.

As part of the planning process, local communities are consulted about the anticipated impact of mining on land use, transportation systems and the quality of life in the surrounding area. Public consultation is undertaken to obtain meaningful input from local residents so that their ideas and concerns can be addressed when developing final reclamation plans.

Every provincial government has departments that work to protect air quality, ground and surface water, land, fish and wildlife. The Federal government can also get involved in areas where it has jurisdiction such as fisheries, toxic substances and trans-boundary impacts. These regulatory agencies evaluate every reclamation plan, considering the baseline environmental information and the long-term interests of those likely to be directly affected by the mining project. Actual mining cannot proceed until the company receives permits based on strict environmental standards for land reclamation, protection for wildlife and management of air and water quality. Regular inspections throughout the entire mining process ensure companies adhere to government standards.

Because of the temporary nature of mining, companies actually just "borrow" land for the time it takes to mine the coal. Afterwards, lands are returned to their prior agricultural, forestry, wildlife or recreation use. Ongoing research programs provide information to confirm that reclamation practices are having the desired results. These studies also identify areas where corrections need to be made or where opportunities exist for improvement, so further action can be taken.

The following provides an example of how reclamation programs have enhanced areas when a mining project is completed.