The Anatomy of a Mine - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 201

FIGURE 4.14
Illustrating Sequential Activities in
Surface Coal Mining

OVERBURDEN MANAGEMENT MINING AND COAL PROCESSING

Land Clearing Including
Removal of Topsoil and Subsoil

Coal mining produces small amounts
of tailings compared to metal mining,
if at all. Tailings in coal mining consist of
reject materials such as stones and clay
which are present in the coal seams.

Overburden Drilling and
Blasting (if necessary)

Topsoil Stockpiling
(if necessary)

Overburden Placement,
Contouring and Compacting

Overburden Removal

Coal Seam Drilling and
Blasting (if necessary)

Topsoil Placement

Coal Loading and
Transporting

Revegetation

Coal Crushing

Tailings Placement
(Optional)

Coal Washing (Optional)

Coal Stockpile

Coal Transportation

Port Stockpile

Stacker/Reclaimer

Ship Loading/Conveyor

informed and l exible. In the following discussion open pit mining has been chosen for
an illustration of organizational complexities (see Chapter Five for a broader discussion
of mining methods). Differences in environmental impacts between open cast and under-
ground mining are highlighted.