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Mining/Overburden Removal

Industry Code: 06110

Compulsory

This industry will include employers engaged in open pit mining, strip mining and underground mining. It will also include employers engaged in overburden removal at open pit mines.

Operation Details:

Open pit and strip mining are processes where coal is accessed from the surface of the earth.

Open pit mining is common in the foothills. As with Strip Mining, top soil and overburden are first removed. Often rock is blasted away from coal seams. This process is referred to as "drill, blast, haul". Open pit mining digs from top to bottom, leaving a large quarry-like hole with side terraces. A variety of heavy equipment, particularly large capacity loaders and trucks are used in this process.

Strip mining is common on the prairies where coal is found in wide, shallow deposits. Top soil is removed and stored for reclamation purposes. Overburden is then removed until a seam is exposed. A business may use a drag line process to access coal, but trends are that most coal is removed by large shovels and trucks. Other forms of heavy equipment will be found in such operations.

Underground mining is a process of tunneling into the earth to locate and extract coal, oil sands or other mineral deposits. A variety of equipment is used to tunnel and extract coal. Essentially, the tunnel is cut and secured, then coal is removed through a series of coal shuttle cars and conveyor systems. Underground mining equipment may include drilling machines, power operated hand drills, picks and hauling equipment such as coal cars, buckets, conveyors and hoists. Underground mines also operate and maintain their elevators and ventilation, lighting, and communication systems. The process of washing coal prior to shipment is also performed by mining companies and included in this industry.

Companies contracted to sink shafts or bore feeder lines related to underground mining will also be included in this industry.

At present, underground mining in Alberta is restricted to coal mining and oil sands development. Only one underground coal mining company presently operates in Alberta.

Overburden is earth and waste rock material that covers mineralized zones, coal seams, oil sand, etc. Employers in this industry use large specialized equipment for removing overburden at open pit mines. This industry is used only for the removal of overburden at open pit or strip mine sites, not gravel pits, quarries, etc. Employers engaged in overburden removal generally have long term contracts with their principals, which are the actual mines or resource companies.

The types of equipment used in this industry to remove the overburden includes large shovels, trucks, graders, and dozers. Due to their large size and unique application, this equipment is unsuitable for use in most other construction ventures. Equipment that has to move to another site is most often dismantled and hauled in pieces by goose neck or drop deck trailer units, because of size.

This industry also includes the contract extraction of ore and sizing for transportation to a processing or upgrading facility, when in conjunction with overburden removal.

Underwriting Considerations:

The process of washing coal prior to shipment when performed by mining companies is included in this industry.

Tunneling and underground boring activity required to establish steam injection piping under tar sands is classified in this industry.

This industry relates specifically to coal mining. Oil extraction through strip mining is classified under industry 06600. Lime extraction (and quarrying) is included under industry 34101.

Drilling activity conducted to establish steam injection piping under tar sands is classified in Drilling industry 9600.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Coal Mining, Open Pit
Coal, Reclamation of Waste
Mining, Coal - Open Pit
Mining, Open Pit
Strip Mining
Coal Mining, Open Pit
Mining, Underground
Open Pit Mine Sites - Overburden Removal at
Overburden Removal - At Open Pit Mines Sites
Shafts, Sinking of Underground
Underground Mining
Underground Shafts
Coal Mining, Underground

Rate Group History:

Effective January 1, 2010, industries 6100 - Mining - Underground and 6111 - Overburden Removal were consolidated into 6110 - Mining & Overburden Removal.

This industry will include employers engaged in open pit mining, strip mining and underground mining. It will also include employers engaged in overburden removal at open pit mines.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Coal Mining, Open Pit
Coal, Reclamation of Waste
Mining, Coal - Open Pit
Mining, Open Pit
Strip Mining
Coal Mining, Open Pit
Mining, Underground
Open Pit Mine Sites - Overburden Removal at
Overburden Removal - At Open Pit Mines Sites
Shafts, Sinking of Underground
Underground Mining
Underground Shafts
Coal Mining, Underground

Operation Details:

Open pit and strip mining are processes where coal is accessed from the surface of the earth.

Open pit mining is common in the foothills. As with Strip Mining, top soil and overburden are first removed. Often rock is blasted away from coal seams. This process is referred to as "drill, blast, haul". Open pit mining digs from top to bottom, leaving a large quarry-like hole with side terraces. A variety of heavy equipment, particularly large capacity loaders and trucks are used in this process.

Strip mining is common on the prairies where coal is found in wide, shallow deposits. Top soil is removed and stored for reclamation purposes. Overburden is then removed until a seam is exposed. A business may use a drag line process to access coal, but trends are that most coal is removed by large shovels and trucks. Other forms of heavy equipment will be found in such operations.

Underground mining is a process of tunneling into the earth to locate and extract coal, oil sands or other mineral deposits. A variety of equipment is used to tunnel and extract coal. Essentially, the tunnel is cut and secured, then coal is removed through a series of coal shuttle cars and conveyor systems. Underground mining equipment may include drilling machines, power operated hand drills, picks and hauling equipment such as coal cars, buckets, conveyors and hoists. Underground mines also operate and maintain their elevators and ventilation, lighting, and communication systems. The process of washing coal prior to shipment is also performed by mining companies and included in this industry.

Companies contracted to sink shafts or bore feeder lines related to underground mining will also be included in this industry.

At present, underground mining in Alberta is restricted to coal mining and oil sands development. Only one underground coal mining company presently operates in Alberta.

Overburden is earth and waste rock material that covers mineralized zones, coal seams, oil sand, etc. Employers in this industry use large specialized equipment for removing overburden at open pit mines. This industry is used only for the removal of overburden at open pit or strip mine sites, not gravel pits, quarries, etc. Employers engaged in overburden removal generally have long term contracts with their principals, which are the actual mines or resource companies.

The types of equipment used in this industry to remove the overburden includes large shovels, trucks, graders, and dozers. Due to their large size and unique application, this equipment is unsuitable for use in most other construction ventures. Equipment that has to move to another site is most often dismantled and hauled in pieces by goose neck or drop deck trailer units, because of size.

This industry also includes the contract extraction of ore and sizing for transportation to a processing or upgrading facility, when in conjunction with overburden removal.

Underwriting Considerations:

The process of washing coal prior to shipment when performed by mining companies is included in this industry.

Tunneling and underground boring activity required to establish steam injection piping under tar sands is classified in this industry.

This industry relates specifically to coal mining. Oil extraction through strip mining is classified under industry 06600. Lime extraction (and quarrying) is included under industry 34101.

Drilling activity conducted to establish steam injection piping under tar sands is classified in Drilling industry 9600.

Rate Group History:

Effective January 1, 2010, industries 6100 - Mining - Underground and 6111 - Overburden Removal were consolidated into 6110 - Mining & Overburden Removal.