Wyoming Partners Tested Coal Char for Mine Reclamation
Researchers began a five-year study to evaluate coal char as a soil amendment for restoring inactive uranium mining sites.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Environmental
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The University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, and UR Energy USA have launched a research project to restore land disturbed by surface mining. The team is currently testing coal char—a byproduct of coal processed at high temperatures—as a soil amendment to improve soil health at inactive uranium mines.
Why it matters
This study evaluates whether coal char serves as a low-cost alternative to biochar for improving soil moisture and porosity in reclaimed land. The findings aim to establish a data-driven framework for regional land restoration while building a professional pipeline for local environmental science talent.
The study spans a five-year timeline, with field testing scheduled for the first three years and a two-year recovery monitoring period. Researchers are evaluating whether the byproduct can successfully enhance moisture retention and soil structure compared to established agricultural practices.
The players
University of Wyoming
A public research university driving academic-led environmental restoration research.
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
A state agency responsible for overseeing environmental regulation and land reclamation standards.
UR Energy USA
A mining company focused on uranium extraction and operational site management.
The details
The project utilizes coal char, a substance created when coal is processed at high temperatures, to modify soil at former uranium surface mines. Researchers apply these amendments to the ground to measure improvements in soil health and native plant growth. The program includes funding for one doctoral student and multiple undergraduates to manage the technical analysis, followed by a final phase dedicated to technology transfer to industry partners.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Project launch and immediate start of field testing.
Years 1-3: Active field testing period at research sites.
Years 4-5: Site recovery study and technology transfer phase.
The Tech Race
This project positions coal char as a potential low-cost competitor to existing biochar solutions currently favored in environmental remediation. By moving from lab theory to field deployment, the study aims to set a new technical benchmark for regional reclamation efficacy.
The research will provide land managers and environmental consultants in Wyoming with actionable data on effective soil amendments for mining sites. Residents can monitor project results through future technology transfer disclosures, which will guide standard reclamation practices in the state.
The takeaway
This study aims to transform industrial byproducts into functional tools for environmental restoration. Stakeholders should track the two-year recovery monitoring phase starting in 2029 to determine the long-term viability of coal char as a standard reclamation medium.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research in land restoration and ecological recovery at Environmental.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sheridan Media.
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Do you believe scientific reclamation projects are an effective way to restore disturbed mining land?
