Why is open-pit mining cheaper?

Mining is a job suited for a select group of people who have the courage to put their lives on the line for the sake of the job at hand. There are a few different types of mining methods used around the world; today, we’re going to take a closer look at open-pit mining, what differentiates it from other methods and why it’s the most effective mining method in many cases.

 What is open-pit mining and why is it so effective?

Also known open-cast mining, open-pit mining is a mining method used to extract minerals from an open pit in the ground. This technique doesn’t require as much effort as other forms of mining such as the building of tunnels or the establishment of underground mining infrastructure. There are several benefits to open-pit mining, some of which contribute to its cost-effectiveness, including (but not limited to):

1. Minor shutdown expenses;
2. Small crew size compared to other mining methods;
3. Less capital and operating costs are needed.

If you’d like to learn more about open pit mining, check out this really handy resource from Anglo American, which is where we got some of our information for this blog post.

Why is open-pit mining the best cost-effective method of mining?

There are several reasons why open-pit mining is considered to be the most cost-effective mining method in the world. According to experts, open-pit mining isn’t only less costly, but is also considered to be safer and easier to execute than other forms of mining. Here are a few reasons why open-pit mining is cheaper than other methods:

1. Not as much capital is needed: Investors need not dent their pockets too much when undertaking an open-pit operation, simply because of the fact that open-pit mining requires significantly less manpower and equipment compared to other mining techniques.
2. Open-pit mining is quick and efficient: While other methods of mining may take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete, open-pit mining is a relatively quick process, a factor that requires investors to spend less throughout the entire operation than they would in an underground mining operation.
3. The mechanical factor: Open-pit mining is much simpler to accomplish than other methods. It offers more space for machines to haul more minerals than they ever would in an underground setting, thus decreasing the costs of operation while making your job a whole lot easier.
4. Crew safety: Employees mining in an open pit is less likely to injure themselves while on the job, a factor that greatly reduces the risk of having to settle in the case of an employee harming themselves or, Lord forbid, succumbing to a fatal injury.

These are only a few of the many factors that make open-pit mining cheaper than its counterpart methods. It’s one of the most commonly used mining methods for sand merchants like us; if you’d like to learn more about what we do, don’t be shy to get in touch with us – we look forward to hearing from you!