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There are two basic ways to mine coal, surface and
subsurface mining. Surface mining involves removing the overburden
(earth and rock covering the coal) with heavy earth moving equipment and
scooping out the coal. Presently, after mining is completed in surface
mines, they reclaim the area by reestablishing vegetation and plant
life.
The second method extracts coal from seams of coal within sedimentary
strata. The coal is reached by drilling two openings into the coal bed
to transport workers and equipment and to send coal to the surface. Both
openings serve to circulate air in the mine. This is a difficult way of
extracting coal, especially prior to equipment specializing in coal
extraction.
Surface mining of coal
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Subsurface mining of coal
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