Surface mining

Surface mining extracts mineral deposits exposed at or near Earth’s surface by removing overlying soil and rock. Its methods include open-pit, strip, and mountaintop removal mining.

Open-pit mining: Mining that extracts deposits from a large, terraced pit open to the surface. It is the surface-mining method used for many deep, broad deposits.
Mineral deposit: A natural concentration of minerals in Earth’s crust that may be economically valuable. Surface mining begins where a deposit lies close enough to the surface for excavation.
Coal mining: The extraction of coal from underground or surface deposits. Surface methods recover coal where seams are shallow enough to expose economically.
Mine reclamation: The process of restoring mined land to a stable condition and an agreed post-mining use. It addresses the land disturbance left by surface excavation.
Underground mining: Mining that reaches mineral deposits through shafts, tunnels, or other subsurface workings. It accesses deposits too deep or unsuitable for surface excavation.
Strip mining: Mining that removes overburden in long strips to expose shallow, often horizontal deposits. It advances across shallow deposits by clearing successive strips of land.
Ore grade: The concentration of a valuable mineral or metal in an ore-bearing material. Grade helps determine whether recovering a deposit can justify removing its overburden.
Quarry: An open excavation where stone, sand, gravel, or other construction materials are extracted. Quarrying is a common surface operation for materials used in construction.
Acid mine drainage: Acidic, metal-rich water formed when exposed sulfide minerals react with air and water. Excavation can expose sulfide-bearing rock that contaminates drainage.
Room-and-pillar mining: An underground method that mines rooms while leaving pillars of material to support the roof. It is an alternative to surface methods for some coal and mineral deposits.

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