What is Surface Mining?

Surface mining is just one of many different types of mining that is carried out in the UK. It is when the rock and soil that is covering minerals is removed. The more popular and effective way of mining is underground mining where the minerals wanted are gathered using tunnels, leaving the rock behind.

Underground mining is more effective for minerals that are located deep into the earth’s core. These minerals cannot be reached using surface mining methods.

There are various different types of surface mining commonly used across Europe;

  1. Dredging – used to gather submerged mineral deposits
  2. Open-pit mining – extracting minerals and rock using a deduction method
  3. Mountaintop removal – involves huge restructuring of earth to reach the layer of coal underground
  4. Strip mining – mining through layers of rock and minerals one by one