Jurisdiction: Abandoned Mine Lands
Current Projects
Currently Planned Projects (2025)
The following Abandoned Mine Lands Projects are proposed for reclamation during the 2025 construction season. For questions about these projects, contact the North Dakota Public Service Commission, 600 East Boulevard Ave., Dept. 408, Bismarck, ND 58505-0480 or 701-328-2400, ndpsc@nd.gov.
For bid opportunities, refer to North Dakota State Procurement Online.
2025 Lehigh Road Phase X and Scranton Phase IV AML Project
The 2025 Lehigh Road Phase X and Scranton Phase IV AML Project is a remote backfilling project to stabilize abandoned underground coal mine workings along public roads and other infrastructure located near Dickinson and Scranton, ND. This project is a continuation of numerous projects that revealed the extent of the underground mines were larger than expected.
Pre-bid, Virtual Tour:
- Hyperlink to Guide - This document will explain the Pre-Bid Virtual Tour and has directions on what is required.
- Link to SPO website and IFB - Here is where to find the Invitation for Bids and other procurement information.
2025 Buechler Velva Phase 3 AML Project
The 2025 Buechler Velva Phase 3 AML Project involves backsloping and backfilling approximately 2,900 feet of dangerous highwall and water filled pits using approximately 800,000 cubic yards of on-site soil. The main site is approximately 8.5 miles southwest of Velva, North Dakota, in Ward County. This 85-acre abandoned mine site is characterized by a steep eroding highwall approximately 35 feet in height. Additional work on an nearby reclaimed abandoned surface mine includes repairing a slope failure plane, removing a culvert, and installing a rock channel. Affected areas will be reseeded with locally adapted grass species native to western North Dakota.
- Link to SPO website and IFB - Here is where to find the Invitation for Bids and other procurement information.
- A mandatory pre-bid, on-site conference is scheduled for March 25, 2025. The meeting time and location will be:11:00 A.M., Central Time (CT): 24000 181st St SE Velva, ND 58790, approximately 8.5 miles southwest of Velva, ND. (Latitude 47°59'2.99"N, Longitude 101° 0'50.63"W)
2025 Exploratory Drilling AML Project
The 2025 Exploratory Drilling Project will locate and characterize underground mine workings in New Salem. This is a continuation of the 2024 Exploratory Drilling Project. The project will be conducted between December 2024 and June 2025. Surface disturbance should be minimal.
2025 Sinkhole Filling and Maintenance AML Project
This project will fill dangerous sinkholes caused by underground mine collapse at abandoned mine lands located in western North Dakota. Sinkhole filling projects have been conducted annually since the 1980s. Maintenance will be conducted at two reclaimed abandoned surface mine sites.