Which mining method involves removing ore from a large surface excavation?

Which mining method involves removing ore from a large surface excavation?

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

Answer: (B)

Open-pit mining involves removing ore from a large surface excavation, creating a big pit that is mined from the top down and widened as deeper ore is reached. This approach is used when ore bodies are near the surface and spread over a wide area, allowing large volumes to be extracted with surface equipment. In contrast, drift mining is an underground method using horizontal tunnels, underground mining uses shafts or tunnels deep underground, and solution mining relies on dissolving the ore with solvents and pumping the solution out. Because the scenario describes extracting ore from a large surface excavation, open-pit mining is the best fit.

Open-pit mining involves removing ore from a large surface excavation, creating a big pit that is mined from the top down and widened as deeper ore is reached. This approach is used when ore bodies are near the surface and spread over a wide area, allowing large volumes to be extracted with surface equipment. In contrast, drift mining is an underground method using horizontal tunnels, underground mining uses shafts or tunnels deep underground, and solution mining relies on dissolving the ore with solvents and pumping the solution out. Because the scenario describes extracting ore from a large surface excavation, open-pit mining is the best fit.