Which term refers to a type of surface mining?

Which term refers to a type of surface mining?

• A. Open-cast mining
• B. Underground mining
• C. Quarrying
• D. Subsurface mining

Answer: (A)

Surface mining is used when the ore body is close to the surface, so the overlying rock is removed to access the mineral. Open-cast mining is a classic example: a large pit is dug into the ground, layers of soil and rock are removed, and the ore is extracted from the exposed face. This keeps mining at ground level and avoids deep tunnels, unlike underground or subsurface mining, which rely on shafts and tunnels to reach deep deposits. Quarrying is also a surface method but is typically used for extracting building stone from rock faces rather than ore; the term open-cast mining is the general label most commonly used for surface mining of minerals, which is why it’s the best choice here.

Surface mining is used when the ore body is close to the surface, so the overlying rock is removed to access the mineral. Open-cast mining is a classic example: a large pit is dug into the ground, layers of soil and rock are removed, and the ore is extracted from the exposed face. This keeps mining at ground level and avoids deep tunnels, unlike underground or subsurface mining, which rely on shafts and tunnels to reach deep deposits. Quarrying is also a surface method but is typically used for extracting building stone from rock faces rather than ore; the term open-cast mining is the general label most commonly used for surface mining of minerals, which is why it’s the best choice here.