The coal extraction industry has had a massive impact on the natural environment at a landscape level, the most obvious legacy of the operations being the extensive coal spoil tips apparent across the region. In recent years millions of pounds have been spent on the stabilisation and eventual reclamation of these spoil areas and their redevelopment for housing, new industry or local open spaces. In the past the potential ecological value of the tips has generally been overlooked or understated. However, old coal spoil sites are now recognised as an important habitat for a range of species and the few remaining sites in the Valleys also have cultural and community value, however general awareness of the value of these sites is low. This has resulted in a loss of site value in term of heritage, ecology, landscape and amenity and there was a need to put individual sites into a context. The former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), which is now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), conducted an integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales. This was intended as the first phase of a coal spoil conservation strategy which incorporated the results of additional archaeological and community assessment. The study was limited to the area covered by Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councils. A Coal Spoil Conservation Strategy was initiated and this dataset includes the results from different phases of the project (see 'contains' field). The aim of this data capture was to provide background data for the delivery of a consistent strategy for local biodiversity action and amenity enhancement. The results of an archaeological and community assessment were also incorporated. The study suggests a classification for types of coal spoil and assesses the ecological value of a large number of sites.