Overburden is the material that stands between an object of interest and the surface. A mineral deposit, such as gold or silver, would be the object of interest in Mining. In archaeology, a historical item or ruin is considered to be the object of study. Overburden can also refer to any other subterranean activities, such as looking for underground water deposits.
Overburden can be one of the largest challenges miners face, and it is often something that must be carefully removed to access the desired minerals. It can be made up of soil, rock, or other materials. Because it is often heavy and difficult to move, overburden can pose a serious obstacle in mining operations. Careful planning and execution are necessary in order to successfully remove the overburden and reach the minerals below.
Overburden management is another consideration that miners need to take into account. Depending on the type of mining operation that is being conducted, overburden management can be a complex and ongoing process. In some cases, overburden may need to be removed to access the minerals below. However, in other cases, it may be possible to use overburden as part of the mining operation itself. For example, overburden can be used in open-pit mining operations to create walls or berms that support the pit. In underground mining operations, overburden may need to be removed in order to access the minerals below, but it can also be used as backfill material once Mining is completed.
Management of overburden can change an ecosystem and the land. Before starting a mining project, it is important to understand the long-term effects of overburden on an area.
Overburden is an important part of the mining process; careful planning and execution are necessary to successfully remove it and access the minerals below. With proper management, overburden can be handled efficiently throughout the mining process.
This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at Becker/SMC. For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of safety, producing the best load break switch in the industry. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by Becker/SMC.
