Mo. Rev. Stat. § 444.762

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to strike a balance between mining of minerals and reclamation of land subjected to surface disturbance by mining, as contemporaneously as possible, and for the conservation of land, and thereby to preserve natural resources, to encourage the planting of forests, to advance the seeding of grasses and legumes for grazing purposes and crops for harvest, to aid in the protection of wildlife and aquatic resources, to establish recreational, home and industrial sites, to protect and perpetuate the taxable value of property, and to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this state.