Surface Mining Method Classes

Open-Pit (or Open-Cut or Open-Cast) Mining

• Use when ore bodies lie near the surface
• Large hole exposes the ore body
• Waste rock (overburden) is removed
• 2nd cheapest method but has the largest environmental impact due to having the largest footprint

View the image to the right to learn more about various open pit and orebody configurations.

Strip Mining Method

1. Electric drills prepare the overlying overburden for blasting.
2. A large dragline removes the broken overburden, exposing the ore.
3. Remove broken ore using a hydraulic shovel and a team of haul trucks.
4. A dozer pushes ore to the shovel to assist in extracting the ore.
5. The equipment replaces the overburden to the stripped area and smooths it in preparation for reclamation.
6. Reclaimed areas may be used for agriculture or other uses.

Quarry Mining Method

• Quarrying is usually restricted to mining dimension stone, prismatic blocks of marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, slate, etc.
• Generally, have benches with vertical faces from a few feet to 200 feet in height.
• Planning of the excavation is based primarily on geologcal factors such as the direction and altitude of bedding and joint systems.