Open-pit and underground mining differ markedly in terms of cost, safety, and suitability, with open-pit mining typically being more economical and safer for deposits located near the surface, while underground mining is better suited for extracting deeper ore bodies(sarahrudge, 2025).
Open-pit mining generally involves lower capital and operating costs because it relies on simpler infrastructure, large-scale equipment such as ultra-class trucks, and does not require ventilation or extensive ground support, making it typically 30–50% cheaper per ton than underground mining. In contrast, underground mining is more expensive due to the need for tunneling, ground reinforcement, and specialized ventilation systems, although it can reduce the amount of waste material that must be removed when extracting deeper ore bodies(Ma et al., 2025).
Open-pit mining generally provides a safer working environment due to natural ventilation, better visibility, simpler evacuation procedures, and reduced risks of hazards such as collapses or gas accumulation, resulting in lower accident rates. In contrast, underground mining presents greater safety challenges, including the risk of rockfalls, poor air quality, and confined working conditions, which necessitate more advanced engineering controls such as pillar support and ventilation systems(Understanding the Operation of Grinding Mills in the Mining and Mineral Processing Industry – NEWS – SMMVIK Machinery, n.d.).
Open-pit mining is best suited for shallow, large-volume, low-grade deposits, such as copper porphyries, though it tends to cause greater surface disturbance. In contrast, underground mining is more appropriate for deep, high-grade, narrow ore bodies like gold or diamond deposits, offering a smaller environmental footprint but typically resulting in lower production rates(Dam, 2022).
Reference:
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Dam, S. (2022, June 15). The Main Types of Mining and their Differences. AZoMining. https://www.azomining.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1690
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Ma, C., Ma, Q., Cai, M., Wang, P., Zhu, W., Li, J., & Lu, Z. (2025). Investigation on the transition depth of open pit to underground mining in Sijiaying iron mine. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 37319. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-21311-z
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sarahrudge. (2025, April 9). Open-Pit Mining: The Top 3 Pros and Cons Explained. Mining and Minerals Today. https://m-mtoday.com/news/open-pit-mining-the-top-3-pros-and-cons-explained/
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Understanding the operation of grinding mills in the mining and mineral processing industry—NEWS – SMMVIK Machinery. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.millvik.com/news/understanding-the-operation-of-grinding.html
