What Is Surface Mining And Its Types
Unlike underground mining, surface mining is a method of extracting minerals by removing the surface cover (soil, rock, etc.) and mining directly from the open areas of the ground. This method is favored because it is efficient and cost-effective, especially when deposits are located near the surface. In contrast to underground mining, surface mining accounts for two-thirds (about 67%) of the world's total solid minerals, and is applied to coal seams, metallic ores (iron, copper), and industrial minerals (limestone, phosphates), among others.
Why Choose Surface Mining?
Surface mining is often chosen due to its economic benefits and ability to extract large quantities of ore in a relatively short time. It is particularly advantageous for mining coal, iron, copper, and other minerals that are found in sedimentary rock layers.
| Comparison Dimension | Surface Mining | Underground Mining |
| Resource Utilization | ≥95% (Depletion Rate <5%) | 70%-85% |
| Labor Productivity | 3-5 Times More Than Underground Mining | Base Level |
| Stripping Volume Per Day | Up to 494,000 tons (Bingham Copper Mine, USA) | Usually <50,000 tons |
| Safety | No Underground Gas/Collapse Risk | Hazardous Work Environments |
5 Major Surface Mining Types: Methods & Applications
| Type of Surface Mining | Description |
| Strip Mining | Involves stripping away layers of soil and rock to expose the mineral deposit. Commonly used for coal extraction. |
| Open-pit Mining | Involves digging a large pit in the ground to extract ore. Suitable for mining copper, gold, iron, and diamonds. |
| Mountaintop Removal | Involves removing the summit of a mountain to access underlying coal seams. Primarily used in the Appalachian Mountains. |
| Dredging | Involves removing underwater mineral deposits using a dredge. Commonly used for extracting sand, gravel, and minerals from riverbeds. |
| High-wall Mining | Involves mining coal seams from the surface using a continuous miner. It is often an extension of open-pit mining. |
Open-pit Mining
● Applicable minerals:Metal ores (copper, iron, gold), diamonds
● Technical features:Stepped down excavation to form an inverted conical pit
● Equipment Requirements:Toothed Wheel Drilling Rig + Hundred-ton Mineral Truck + 20m³ Excavator
Mountaintop Removal
● Area of application:Appalachian Mountains, USA
● Technical process:Blasting to remove mountaintop rock seams→exposed coal seams→waste rock to fill in river valleys
● Point of contention: 92% ecological damage (irreversible damage to vegetation/water systems)
Dredging
● Area of operation:Riverbed/lake bottom/shallow sea
● Target minerals:Alluvial gold, cassiterite, alluvial diamonds
● Equipment innovation:Suction vessel equipped with tungsten carbide nozzle can handle gravel with a grain size of ≤80mm
Strip Mining
● Applicable mines:Coal, lignite and other stratified sedimentary mines
● Technical characteristics: Stripping the overburden in sections along the strike of the ore layer, mining after exposing the ore body strip by strip
● Case Study:China's Hollinhe Surface Coal Mine Improves Stripping Efficiency by 40% with Transverse Mining Belt Technology
High-wall Mining
● Application Scenario: Recovery of residual ore bodies from open pit slopes
● Technological breakthrough:Remote control of continuous coal mining machine, lateral boring depth up to 300m
● Economic value:Increased open pit resource recovery to 98.5 percent
Surface mining plays a crucial role in the extraction of minerals and ores, providing economic benefits and high recovery rates. Each type of surface mining has its specific applications and advantages, making it suitable for different mining scenarios.
At Langsun Carbide, we understand the importance of efficiency and reliability in mining operations. Our tungsten carbide mining tools are designed to withstand the toughest conditions, ensuring superior performance and longevity. Trust Langsun Carbide to provide the tools you need for successful surface mining operations.