Sustainability and Stewardship
GMA’s Dedication to Environmental Responsibility
GMA members are committed to preserving our state’s natural beauty and environmental health.
Since 1968, Georgia’s Surface Mining Act has required mine operators to reclaim one acre of land for every acre mined. We pride ourselves on the thousands of acres of reclaimed Georgia land that are now used for agriculture, forestry, recreation, or as a haven for our state’s precious fish and wildlife.
GMA’s members are dedicated to the mining industry’s “Declaration of Reclamation.” The Association’s environmental initiatives include:
- GMA’s Environmental Committee tracks emerging and ongoing regulatory and legislative environmental initiatives that impact the Georgia mining industry and regularly shares that information with members.
- Annual industry-wide workshops in which leading experts and GMA members share best practices and other lessons to help all Georgia mine operators perform their work cleanly, safely, and with minimal lasting impact on our state’s natural resources.
- Connecting members to fellow members who provide environmental training, consulting, products, or services.
- GMA Environmental Awards to recognize members who best adhere to the GMA commitment to environmentally responsible mining and mineral resource production.
GMA Members: Help Steer Our Ongoing Environmental Efforts
Join the GMA Environmental Committee
Upcoming GMA Environmental Events
GMA Fall Environmental Seminar
November 14, 2024Idle Hour Country Club
The Fruit of Our Labors: Reclamation Sites
Each of the below images is the former site of a Georgia mine, now put to good use as agricultural, recreational, forested, or conservation land.
GMA Environmental Awards
Each year, GMA presents its Environmental Awards to mining companies whose environmental and reclamation efforts have been notably successful. Two awards are presented in multiple categories each year.