Strip mining involves removing overburden to access minerals close to the surface. Trees and structures are removed, explosives are used, and earthmoving equipment is used to remove overburden. Strip mining is used for coal and tar sand extraction and can be disruptive, causing waste and pollution.
Mining is a type of surface mining that involves removing a thin layer of material known as “overburden” to access buried deposits of useful minerals. This type of mining is only effective in areas where mineral deposits are very close to the surface, making it possible to quickly and easily remove the overburden to reach them. Classically, mining is used to extract tar sand and coal. This technique is also referred to as open cast, open cut or stripping.
In this technique, the first step is the removal of trees, shrubs and structures on the area to be mined, a process that is usually done with heavy bulldozers. Next, holes are drilled for placing explosives, which will loosen the overload so it can be removed by earthmoving equipment. Some of the largest industrial equipment in the world is used in mining, with the overburden either piled up near the site or hauled away for disposal, depending on how the mine is managed. Once exposed, minerals can be mined.
In many cases, mining operations work a bit like mowing the lawn: one row at a time. When this technique is used, pulled strips are used to hold the overhead removed from the neighboring row, so it does not have to be transported off site. This technique also makes it easier to monitor the stability and condition of the mine, as only a small segment is actively worked at any given time.
Strip mining is designed for relatively flat areas of land that can be worked quickly and easily. The main concern in low-lying areas tends to be the containment and proper disposal of overburden, to keep the site under control. In contour strip mining, the strips are excavated around the contours of a mountain and the miners have to be extra careful to avoid cave-ins and other problems that can lead to injury or death.
As you might have guessed from the description, strip mining can be extremely disruptive. The unwanted topsoil is often nutrient-rich topsoil that may have built up over the ages, and when the topsoil is carelessly disposed of, this constitutes a huge waste. Even when the overburden is replaced, it can take decades or more for plant and animal life in the area to recover. Pollution can also become a problem, depending on what’s being mined and whether it’s being processed on site.
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