Surface Mining

Strip Mining- Used when coal is near the surface or overburden is unstable. Mining progresses and overburden is placed in the previous mine cavity.
Advantages: faster, less worker death, cheaper
Disadvantages: destroys the landscape, pollution


Contour Mining- strip or surface mining follows the contour of the hill or mountain leaving terraces in the mountain side.
Advantages: Easier to get to the coal, less worker fatalities
Disadvantages: The contour of the land is never restored


Mountain Top Mining- Tops of hills are removed to access horizontal cal seams. Over burdeb is pushed to high elevations. following reclamation, the original contour is not restored. Most controversial mining method.
Advantages: safer for miners
Disadvantages: foundations of homes are damaged from the blasts, deforestation and water pollution



http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring07/Bartlett/effects.html