Molycorp is required under California's Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (also known as SMARA) to develop a reclamation plan for all mining related land disturbance at the site. The plan describes the land area that will be affected by Molycorp's operations and how this land will be returned to a productive use once operations have concluded at the site.

In addition to these requirements, there is a requirement to post a "financial assurance" for all of the reclamation work described in the plan. The financial assurance provides funds to complete all of the required reclamation work at the site in the event that Molycorp is unable to do so. Financial Assurance information must be re-calculated on an annual basis to ensure that adequate funds are always available.

Molycorp has had an approved reclamation plan since 1977. The plan has been updated a number of times as operations have increased and new facilities have been added. At the present time, the plan covers reclamation requirements for 680 acres of land at the Mountain Pass site, including roads, overburden piles, the mine, processing / administrative facilities and ponds.