Abstract: A method of developing, mining and restoring a mining property having one or more mineral bearing rock seams is provided. Three-dimensional topographic control data, mineral bearing rock seam location data, water flow data, and overburden stratification and constituency data are collected and a topographic map of the mine property is prepared. An access road is located on the map to the mineral bearing rock seams and various environmental control facilities, topsoil storage areas and overburden disposal sites are identified and located on the map. Next, the mining operations are broken into sequential phases and placed on the topographic map. Mining of the seam material is then accomplished by sequential phases. After completing the first phase, each succeeding sequential phase is completed. During each succeeding sequential phase, a portion of the mine property in the preceeding phase is preferably restored.