How is coal mined?

1 Answer
Dec 6, 2016

Either by deep mining, or strip mining.

Explanation:

Deep mining of coal is done by shafts (tunnels) that are dug below the surface of the earth and the coal is extracted. Strip mining, or surface mining is done by removing all of the earth above the coal seam and then removing the coal. Deep mining was the common method of coal removal until the 1940's in the US. Strip mining grew in popularity after WWII.