"For several decades to come, surface mining will continue to play a major role as the main source of much of the world's mineral wealth. Billions of tons of metallic ores, fertilizers, and associated waste products are mined from surface deposits each year around the world. This handbook was organized to provide the reader engaged in the search, design, and operation of such surface mines, with current, useful information of practical application. The articles were gleaned and edited from recent issues of Engineering and Mining Journal."--Foreword.

"Compiled from articles published in [Engineering and mining journal] issues in 1977, 1978, and 1979."--Foreword.