Strip Mining Method

This method is generally used when stone deposits lie close to ground surface and in layers. Although it is mostly for coal extraction, other types of stones can also be mined with this method. Strip mining is basically stripping large areas of soil and rock above the desired stone layer. Explosives may also be used for loosening the overlying rock layer. This is in a way an open pit mining that we covered earlier, but the excavation is much shallower this time and the deposits are thinner. The strip of excavation may continue hundreds of meters. Once the stone is exposed, it is broken into transportable pieces. Although this method is less expensive than underground or open pit mining, it can be disruptive to the environment as it involves disturbing long strips of land which can cause soil erosion, destruction of habitat, water pollution through runoff.