Surface mining (2024)

FAQs

Surface mining? ›

Surface mining refers to the removal of the terrain surface to access minerals underneath. In particular, surface mining is used to retrieve sand, gravel, stones, coal, iron and other metals. There are five recognized types of surface mining, each with specific variations depending on the minerals being extracted.

However, even with current regulations, surface mining can affect fish and aquatic resources through erosion and sedimentation, dewatering of wetlands, diverting and channelizing streams, and contaminating surface water and aquifers with toxic chemicals.

Humans face a variety of health risks caused by mining such as different cardiovascular diseases, food, and water contamination. Habitat destruction, alongside air, noise, and water pollution, are all significant negative environmental impacts caused by the side effects of surface mining.

One of the main advantages of surface mining is that it is generally less expensive than underground mining. This is because it requires fewer workers and less equipment. Additionally, surface mines are often more productive than underground mines because they can extract larger quantities of minerals at once.

Difficult setting

While most surface mining work occurs outdoors in open spaces, certain tasks may sometimes require work in more difficult settings. For example, you may work in poor weather conditions or confined spaces, depending on your role. You may also work at high altitudes or near large open holes.

Minimizes Environmental Impact

Since subsurface mining does not require the removal of large amounts of overburden on top of the ore, it is much more environmentally friendly than open-pit mining.

Underground mining is one of the most hazardous types of mining due to the confined spaces, unstable ground, and potential for cave-ins. Miners must work in cramped quarters in low light and often in wet conditions, making it difficult to move around safely.

This is because removing the terrain surface, or overburden, to access the mineral beneath is often more cost-effective than gouging tunnels and subterranean shafts to access minerals underground. This method is often considered safer, as well, and doesn't require extensive electricity rigging and water piping.

Surface mining can produce significant amounts of waste. Topsoil and rocks must be removed to gain access to the minerals below, but what is done with them afterward? Often, they are just discarded.

Sedimentation and Erosion

When these mining sites experience heavy rain, the loosened topsoil is washed away, carrying sediments that may pollute the streams, lakes, and rivers. Excessive residue can harm aquatic organisms and watershed vegetation downstream.

Which states do not have surface mines? ›

Active metal and nonmetal mining operations are found throughout 48 states and Puerto Rico (no active mines in Hawaii, New Hampshire, or the Virgin Islands). The majority of metal and nonmetal mining operations are classified as surface mines (n=1,116; 88.9%).

Formally called the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, it prohibited strip mining anywhere the land could not subsequently be reclaimed by the operator to its original use.

Surface mining removes overburden, which is the dirt, rock, and vegetation on top of the mineral deposit. Once they unearth the deposit, miners can extract large amounts of matter relatively quickly. This method works best for deposits close to the earth's surface.

Methods of Removing Coal

Coal is usually removed using three main methods; Surface mining – is ideal when the coal is less than 200 feet in the ground. In this case, the large machines will help remove the layers of rock and topsoil which is known as overburden in order to expose the coal seams.

Mining can cause erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, or the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by chemicals emitted from mining processes. These processes also affect the atmosphere through carbon emissions which contributes to climate change.

Largest global open-pit mines by depth

As of 2023, the Bingham Canyon mine in Utah, United States, was the deepest open-pit mine in the world, with a depth of more than 1.2 kilometers. Bingham Canyon was established in 1906 as a copper mine, and is the world's largest excavation made by humans.

Both above-ground and underground mining processes produce air pollution and can generate harmful aerosols, including particulate matter, arsenic, and diesel.

Mining is a significant driver of deforestation. Not only do mines clear native forests for mineral extraction, they also often establish new infrastructure, which indirectly facilitates new access to land and further clearing.

Strip mining poses some undesired environmental impacts. The mining operations involve removal of vegetation, surface soil, and trees from the mined site, leaving the landscape and forests damaged and disturbing wildlife habitats, which can lead to soil erosion and reduce fertility of agricultural land.