Teaching Resource
Mining Posters - Open Cut and Underground Mining
Posters showing the process of underground and open cut mining.
Information of posters includes:
Open Cut Mining:
Open-cut mining is when layers of earth are stripped away to reveal mineral deposits that are close to the surface. Mines are excavated over time in levels or benches. Benches are usually dug on four to sixty metre intervals and at an angle to reduce the risk of rock slides. Open-cut mines account for roughly 80% of the mines in Australia.
Underground Mining:
Underground mining is used when mineral deposits lie far below the surface. Tunnels or shafts are dug into the earth to reach buried mineral and coal deposits. Some shafts can be up to a kilometre deep. Underground mines are less common in Australia, but are still a popular mining method in other countries where coal is deep in the earth. Underground mines provide 60% of the world’s coal production.
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NSW Curriculum alignment
- GE3-2
Explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCGGK094
Influence of people, including the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places
- VCGGK094
Influence of people, including the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACHASSK112
The influence of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places

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Thank you for designing these posters. They are a great visual for the students to understand the difference between the two types of mining.
Julie Leach · Sep 13th, 2014