The aim of this study was to examine the impact of spontaneous succession in comparison with black fallow on selected physical properties of soil damaged by mining in the area of internal dumping ground Pątnów near Konin. To evaluate the soil physical status, basic physical and chemical parameters (total organic carbon, bulk and particle density, pH), water characteristic curves, and water and air permeability were measured. The observed water retention data with the saturated hydraulic conductivity value were fitted to obtain soil water characteristic curves, differential porosity plots, and hydraulic conductivity function in the vadose zone. Over 30 years of spontaneous succession treatment of the post-mining grounds enriched the resulting Technosol in organic carbon 4 times more than the black fallow treatment. Vegetation caused a high belowground input of organic material, which was apparent by very low bulk density and very high porosity values. Spontaneous succession changed the typical differential porosity of a sandy soil mostly in the mesopore region. Soils under both treatments were characterised by excessive field air capacity, but the soil under spontaneous vegetation revealed higher volume of water available for plants in comparison to the black fallow soil, despite its coarser texture. The black fallow soil had lower and more variable air and water permeabilities than the soil under spontaneous succession. Vegetation including plants with extensive root systems positively influenced soil physical state, thereby improving soil ecosystem stability.