The study addresses the problem of hard coal mine closures in the Wałbrzych coal mining area and its effects on the natural environment and landscape functioning. Coal mining resulted in the degradation of the natural environment and losses on fixed assets caused by the surface subsidence. The purpose of the study is to identify aspects of the restructuring process of the Wałbrzych hard coal mines concerning the state of the natural environment and landscape, evaluated from a multi-decade perspective. The study also examines environmental changes and the directions of post-mining land use. In the period of performing mining operations coal mines, coking plants and heat distribution plants in Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda emitted 69,90% of particulate matter and 51,12% of gases produced by all plants in Wałbrzych voivodship. The volume of industrial waste, harmful to the environment presented a large decrease regarding the amount of onerous waste in the period 1988 – 2018. The state of the natural environment improved significantly as a result of coal mine closures. It was found that the ambient air pollution was mostly caused by the industrial and heat distribution plants. Further development of post-mining areas should, by all means, be continued and the good condition of the already reclaimed areas should be maintained. In areas located near residential developments is essential to continue searching for alternative uses of these waste heaps.