In this study Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) data for the years 1989-2000- 2010 was used to detect vegetational change in Afsin Elbistan lignite basin. Study based on application of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The change of vegetation cover is determined by comparing different date NDVI images using differencing method. Differencing NDVI images helped to quickly identify areas where vegetation is increased or decreased. The results suggest that NDVI have revealed significant changes in green vegetation in the study area. Remote sensing techniques and multi temporal satellite data reliably used to monitoring changes of vegetation cover in open pit mine areas. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.