OSMRE presents Utah with the National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award

WASHINGTON - The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or OSMRE, has awarded the 2026 National Abandoned Mine Land, or AML, Reclamation Award to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program for its reclamation work in Summit County. The award was presented to Utah by OSMRE Deputy Director Tom Shope during the National Association of AML Programs conference in Park City, Utah, on Sept. 21st.

"These projects demonstrate innovation, strong community partnerships and the lasting benefits of addressing legacy mining hazards while helping build a better future for communities," said Shope.

From 2023 through 2025, the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program safeguarded two hazardous historic mine shafts-the Thaynes and Silver King shafts-located on Park City Mountain Resort property near Park City, Utah. The $358,507 project eliminated significant public safety hazards in a popular recreation destination that receives more than 4 million annual visitors, including skiers, mountain bikers and hikers. Engineering work included custom-designed polyurethane foam and concrete closures to secure the shafts and stabilize the failing foundations of historic buildings and headframes. By minimizing surface disturbance, the project protected public safety while preserving important elements of the area's mining heritage. The program partnered with the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, a local historic preservation organization, to leverage available expertise and resources and promote the efficient use of project funds.

"Park City Mountain Resort sees approximately 4 million visitors annually. Eliminating the physical hazard of the vertical openings and helping to stabilize the structures directly improved the safety of skiers, mountain bikers, and hikers who previously explored the unstable shaft buildings," said Steve Fluke, Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Manager.

The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards, established in 1992, recognize exemplary state and Tribal reclamation projects that reclaim coal mine sites abandoned prior to the signing of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Utah is one of five recipients of the 2026 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards recognizing reclamation excellence. The national award is presented to the State or Tribe with the highest scoring overall reclamation project. The small project award is presented to the State or Tribe that receives less than $6 million annually in AML fee-based funding that has the highest scoring project costing less than $1 million. Regional awards are presented to the State or Tribe with the highest scoring project within each of the following regions: Appalachian States, Interior States, and Western States and Tribes.

Other Award-Winning Reclamation Programs

Small Project Award
Railroad Commission of Texas - Surface Mining & Reclamation Division; Wise Richey Emergency AML Project; Bridgeport, TX

Regional Awards

Appalachian States Award
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Forest City East - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Access Project; Susquehanna and Wayne Counties

Interior States Award
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Mines and Minerals Bureau, BOS AML Reclamation Project (IA-172); Wapello County, Iowa

Western States and Tribes Award
Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Superfund, AML and Construction Bureau; Belt Water Treatment Plant; Belt, Montana

To learn about these award-winning projects, visit AML Reclamation Awards.