Open Cast/pit Method

In some cases the mineral deposit which is to be mined lies a few metres of the surface. And under this circumstances it can be mined by opencast method.
 
This method involves the stripping off of unwanted materials, which lie on top of the mineral. If the mineral bearing rock is soft, it can be got by digging. Where it is harder, however it may first have to be loosened by  use of explosives. Extraction of the ore is done in successive layers until the mineral content becomes too small or the pit becomes too deep.  Minerals like coal, iron ore , diamonds, limestone, can also be mined by this method.
Apart from being cheap, opencast method, involve the limited skill and a few deaths of workers due to accidents.
 
This is a gold mine in the Huni Valley area of southwestern Ghana.