Mine soil health on surface mined lands reclaimed to grassland

•Over 15,000 km2 have been disturbed by surface mining in Appalachia.•Few studies have determined soil health indicators on reclaimed mine soils with grasslands.•The NRCS Soil Quality Test Kit and Standard methods were used to measure soil health.•Infiltration, aggregate stability, pH and soil respiration were similar between methods.•Soil health indicators by NRCS Test Kit provided equivalent values and trends to Standard methods.