WATCH: Playing for the future

The minerals mining industry takes its commitment to be a good neighbor seriously. Across the United States, minerals mining supports more than 1.2 million jobs, contributes more than $10.5 billion in local and state taxes, and donates time and money to worthy community causes like education. But beyond the financials, the mining industry makes it a priority to give back to the communities in which it operates.

Reclamation is the restoration of mining land to its original state, to be used by the community far into the future.

Our Playing for the Future video depicts just how important reclamation is to the mining industry. In fact, our members have reclaimed hundreds of thousands of acres.

And ultimately, reclaimed sites are returned to many productive uses, ranging from recreation areas, economic development parks, farms, golf courses and housing developments to wildlife areas and wetlands.

The Pumpkin Hollow project in Lyon County, Nevada, is a perfect example: leaders of the project consulted with community members and environmental experts to create a plan to revegetate the land, keep the water clean and reuse infrastructure after the project was complete.

U.S. minerals mining is dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact. The Environmental Management System and “clean up as you go” reclamations empower minerals mining companies to navigate regulatory processes and continually improve environmental performance.