Surface Mining

Surface mining is used to extract seams of coal or mineral bearing ore located close to the surface.

Open cut mining involves the blasting of surface material to fracture rock and loosen impacted dirt. Draglines or large shovels are then used to remove the overburden consisting of soil and rock to gain access to the seams that contain coal or minerals. Truck and shovel mining is then used to extract the coal or mineral bearing ore once it is exposed.

Highwall mining involves  the use of an existing high wall. Special continuous miners are used to punch into the exposed seams and recover the coal or mineral bearing ore.
Training videos can allow personnel to view this equipment in operation and highlight the safety requirements of each machine. They can also demonstrate how all the equipment links into the overall process.

Small extracts from the related videos
Dragline operation
Truck and shovel mining
Highwall mining