Surface Mining

Surface mining involves removing soil and bedrock to reach resource deposits. The most common types of surface mining are strip and open-pit mining.  Strip mining is used to extract shallow deposits that are just below the surface, under a layer of topsoil. This method does not require deep digging. Open-pit mining involves digging into the surface in a step-like pattern. Open-pits can also be referred to as quarries when they are producing building materials.