The objectives of this study were the evaluation of the technical and economical feasibility of utilizing color and color infrared aerial photography to satisfy some informational needs for premine planning, mine progress monitoring, and reclamation monitoring. Seven aerial data collection missions were conducted within a 2-year period over strip mine sites in Pennsylvania. Scales of 1:6,000; 1:12,000; 1:24,000; and 1:48,000 were flown on the first aerial mission. The 1:12,000 was chosen as the optimal scale for the remaining six flights. An extensive literature and legislative review and discussion with strip mine operators identified the informational parameters that could possibly be obtained from aerial photography. Interpretability accuracies were evaluated for parameters in the broad categories of land use, soils, water, vegetation, and geology. Man hours for photo interpretation and costs of aerial data collection were monitored closely and incorporated into a cost benefit analysis. Those parameters that could be mapped, identified, or measured with accuracies greater than or equal to 75 percent were incorporated into a photo interpretation training manual. An additional analysis was performed to determine the applicability of the interpretation methodologies and results developed for Eastern sites to Western surface coal mining sites.