Mining is the process of removing coal from the ground. There
are two types of mining: underground mining and surface mining. When the coal
seam is fewer than 125 feet under the surface, it is mined by surface mining.
Coal that is deeper than 125 feet is removed from the ground by underground
mining.
Coal deposits in Pakistan
Coal deposits in Pakistan are up to 185 billion tons. The
deposits are more than 850 trillion cubic feet spanning over different regions
of the country, surprisingly more than the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia having
a collective quantity of approximately 375 billion barrels.
Surface Mining
Surface mining is used when a coal seam is located close to
the surface. Heavy equipment is used to clear the land of trees, shrubs and
topsoil. Holes are drilled into the rock and explosives are placed in these
holes. The explosion breaks up the dirt and rock called overburden.
Holes are drilled into the rock and explosives are placed in
these holes. The explosion breaks up the
dirt and rock called overburden.
Safety inspectors carefully monitor the drilling and
blasting process.
Large earth-moving machines move the overburden to expose
the coal seam. When the coal is uncovered, bulldozers and shovels scoop up the
coal and load it into large trucks. All
of the coal is mined.
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