Mining is the process of getting the coal out of the ground. Coal is mined by surface mining or underground mining. Kentucky has both surface and underground mines. Surface mining is used when a coal seam is located close to the surface.
Heavy equipment is used to clear the land of trees and shrubs.
The topsoil is then removed and saved to be used later. Holes are drilled into the rock and explosives are placed in these holes. The explosion breaks up the dirt and rock called overburden. The overburden is then removed by giant earth- moving machines called draglines. When the coal is uncovered smaller shovels scoop up the coal and load it into trucks.