Strip Mining

Strip mining is used when the ore body to be excavated is relatively close to the surface of the earth. There are two forms of strip mining: area mining and contour mining. Area mining is used to extract ore deposits over a large area and on fairly flat terrain, whereas contour mining is used in hilly terrain where the mineral outcrop usually follows the contour of the land. In both kinds of strip mining, equipment and explosives are used to remove the overburden, which is then moved to an adjacent empty pit where the mineral has already been excavated. This lateral movement is called casting or open-casting. Filling the adjacent empty pits with the overburden is important because it minimizes the otherwise devastating consequences of strip mining.

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