One of the most used types of mining to extract the minerals and resources that are close to the surface of the earth is surface mining. This method of mining is common in the exploitation of coal, iron ore, limestone and other precious minerals.
Surface mining is very efficient and this is one of its major benefits. The mineral deposits are close to the surface thus, using big machines, the materials can be reached and removed easily. This renders surface mining quicker and less expensive to underground mining.
Surface mining can be of a number of types. Open-pit mining is one of the most popular techniques. In it, miners cut huge chunks of rock and soil to make a deep pit in which the mineral deposits are found. The material is removed using heavy machinery in the form of excavators, haul trucks and drilling equipment.
The other prevalent surface mining is strip mining. This method entails excavation of long strips of soil and rocks in order to reveal mineral deposits beneath. The strip mining technique is mostly applied in coal mining process where the coal seams are found in areas that are relatively near the surface.
Another type of surface mining is the mountaintop removal that is mostly used in mountainous areas. In this technique, the mountain peak is cut off so as to reach coal reserves which are found beneath the mountain. Although effective, this process has been of concern to the environment because of the effect it has on the sceneries and the ecosystem.
The exploitation of surface mining involves heavy machinery and transport systems. The mined materials are transported by haul trucks to the processing plants where they are separated into the minerals and refined.
Surface mining is very efficient however it may have effects on the environment including land disturbance and disturbance of habitats. This is why in contemporary mining firms they are employing land reclamation programs to reclaim the mined lands after they are finished with the mining activities.
Surface mining can be significantly used to satisfy the world with the supply of minerals and natural resources with proper planning and environmental management.