In the sequential steps of mine development, there are three that are unique to surface mining: Initiation of land reclamation plan, during and after mining, as part of the requirement to implement the EIS at the mine. Provision of topsoil stockpiles and waste-disposal dumps. Performing advanced stripping of overburden to gain access to the deposit. They, too, must be incorporated into the development / exploration schedule of operations. The major engineering design task in the development of a surface mine is planning the pit; three groups of factors are involved. Namely Natural and geologic factors, Economic factors, Technological factors.
