Aggregate mining is the most common mining disturbance in the United States. Vast quantities of sand and gravel are mined each year for use in roadway construction, concrete, building block and in related industries. Return of disturbed land to a productive land following mining is required. Since the original contour of the land cannot be reestablished following mining due to removal of the underlying aggregate, a number of creative post-mining land uses are possible. Ecological restoration is sometimes, but not always the ultimate goal post-mining. Topsoil salvaged from agricultural land is commonly reapplied allowing return of the pre-disturbance agricultural land use. Mining into the water table has resulted in creation of wetland and recreation areas.

The case history provided shows examples of some of the possibilities and problems. The use of abandoned gravel pits as waste disposal sites was a common practice decades ago that has now proven to be a significant groundwater contamination problem.