Block caving is a type of mining that is a form of what?

Block caving is a type of mining that is a form of what?

• A. Open-pit mining
• B. Drift mining
• C. Underground mining
• D. Solution mining

Answer: (C)

Block caving is an underground mining method that uses gravity to break and draw ore from a large block below the surface. The ore body is undermined and then allowed to cave progressively, with ore collected from production levels underneath. Because all of this happens below the surface through underground access, it’s classified as underground mining. Open-pit mining exposes and removes material from the surface, which isn’t how block caving works. Drift mining involves horizontal tunnels toward the ore near the surface, rather than the large-scale subsurface collapse used here. Solution mining relies on dissolving minerals with solvents, a different approach entirely. So the best fit is underground mining.

Block caving is an underground mining method that uses gravity to break and draw ore from a large block below the surface. The ore body is undermined and then allowed to cave progressively, with ore collected from production levels underneath. Because all of this happens below the surface through underground access, it’s classified as underground mining. Open-pit mining exposes and removes material from the surface, which isn’t how block caving works. Drift mining involves horizontal tunnels toward the ore near the surface, rather than the large-scale subsurface collapse used here. Solution mining relies on dissolving minerals with solvents, a different approach entirely. So the best fit is underground mining.