Abstract: Open cast coal mining cause severe alteration of soil characteristics that leads to instability and functional irregularity of ecosystem. The present investigation, therefore, was carried out to evaluate the role of open cast coal mining in alteration of native soil characteristics. Soil samples are collected from disturbed soils of Ledo colliery and undisturbed forest soil. Soil characteristics of Ledo colliery deviated from forest soil. The pH of the disturbed soil was 4.53 compared to 5.83of undisturbed forest soil. Open cast mining significantly (P0.05) altered the soil pH from normal forest soil. Statistically insignificant deviation of soil Temperature, MC, OC, N and Mg in disturbed soil was observed. However, pH, P, K and Ca of disturbed soil varied from forest soil significantly (P0.05). The concentration of all the heavy metals studied viz. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb was high in disturbed soil compared to forest soil. However, site has significant influence on the variation of Ni (P0.01), Zn (P0.01) and Cu (P0.05) concentration. Thus, open cast mining altered the soil properties, making nutrient deficient, highly acidic and increased heavy metal toxicity.