User:Morgan Riley/Strip mining

Strip mining is a type of surface mining, in which a relatively thin layer of overburden is stripped from the surface to access the desired mineral deposit. It is most often used for mining coal. Strip mining is distinguished from, and often confused with, open-pit mining and mountaintop removal mining.(infrastructure) In strip mining, which often occurs on flat plains and hillsides, the overburden is replaced when mining is complete, allowing the landscape to be reclaimed, whearas with the open-pit mining, the pit remains when the mine is closed.

etymology dispute. One basis is that the overburden is stripped off, exposing the underlying deposits. The other is that the deposit itself is worked in long strips of uncovering, extracting, and replacing.

Strip mining had its advent in the 20th century the rise of power shovels and heavy earthmoving equipment. It meant that certain deposits which were not feasible for underground mining (due to economics and geology) could be reached. connotations, controversies, decline in production

types: flat, hillside

Strip mining relies on several types of large heavy earthmoving machinery. Power shovel, dragline excavator, bucket-wheel excavator.