Which type of mineral is often extracted using surface mining techniques?

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals that are located near the earth's surface. This technique is particularly effective for certain types of minerals that are deposited in layers close to the ground. Coal is one such mineral that is commonly extracted using surface mining methods, including strip mining and open-pit mining.

The nature of coal deposits often allows for efficient removal of overburden (the soil and rock that cover coal seams), making it economically viable to extract large quantities of coal quickly. Surface mining of coal can also lead to reduced environmental impact when compared with underground mining, as it often results in less overall disruption in terms of subsurface stability and worker safety.

While diamonds, gold, and oil can also be extracted using various methods, they are generally associated with different mining techniques. For example, diamonds are usually mined through both surface and underground methods depending on their location, while gold often requires more specialized techniques, including hard rock mining. Oil extraction primarily involves drilling rather than conventional mining, which differentiates its extraction method from those utilized for coal. Thus, coal stands out as the mineral most commonly associated with surface mining practices.