Anthracite Coal - Strip Mining

When coal seams are near the surface, it may be economical to extract the coal using open cut (also referred to as open cast, open pit, or strip) mining methods. Open cast coal mining recovers a greater proportion of the coal deposit than underground methods, as more of the coal seams in the strata may be exploited. Large Open Cast mines can cover an area of many square kilometers and use very large pieces of equipment. This equipment can include the following: Draglines which operate by removing the overburden, power shovels, large trucks in which transport overburden and coal, bucket wheel excavators, and conveyors.

In this mining method, explosives are first use in order to break through the surface of the mining area. The coal is then removed by draglines or by shovel and truck. Once the coal seam is exposed, it is drilled, fractured and thoroughly mined in strips. The coal is then loaded on to large trucks or conveyors for transport to either the coal preparation plant or direct to where it will be used

The Keystone Division layout models strip or surface mining near Girardville, PA. The so-called 'Mammoth' coal vein reportedly runs under this town. A number of 'wildcat' mines dot the hills which form the valey where this town lies.

Girardville is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 58 miles (93 km) northwest of Reading. Anthracite coal deposits are in the region. Coal-mining provided employment and incomes for many of the 3,666 people who lived there in 1900. In 1910, 4,396 individuals called it home. The population was 1,742 at the 2000 census. It was founded in 1832 and is named after Stephen Girard of Philadelphia who purchased large land holdings in and around the town. It was incorporated as a borough in 1872. It is known to many in Schuylkill County as "Gun-Town", for reasons unknown.

Model of strip mine near Girardville. Yes those are chunks of real antracite coal from the 'coal region' of Pennsylvania. The Mammoth vein was just dynamited for harvesting!

Photo of typical 'wild cat' or 'bootleg' mine near Girardville"

Photo of coal delivery to the Electric Generation plant near Titusville: