Open Pit Mining

In open pit mining, an excavation or cut is made at the surface of the ground to extract ore. These excavations or cuts are typically left open for the duration of the mine's life. Open pit mines are generally used to mine metal ores, such as copper, gold, iron, and so forth, but they are also used to mine coal. Often, minerals are extracted from open pit mines until the mineral is exhausted or mining becomes unprofitable. When this happens, the mines are usually converted into landfills to dispose of solid waste.

The following are some of the most common materials that are dug up in open pit mining:

• Bitumen
• Clay
• Coal
• Copper
• Coquina
• Diamonds
• Gravel and stone (includes bedrock)
• Granite
• Gritstone
• Gypsum
• Limestone
• Marble
• Metal ores (copper, iron, gold, silver, and molybdenum)
• Uranium

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.