Refers to the rock and soil above a desired economic resource, such as coal or an ore body. It is normally associated with surface mining, in contrast to underground mining where tailings are a more common byproduct. The depth of overburden is a critical economic factor when assessing the feasibility of mining. Unless the topsoil is stored for later reclamation, overburden removal usually destroys this crucial resource, greatly magnifying the task of natural or cultural revegetation. In North America, overburden removal requires blasting through hard caprock, which leave landscapes resembling fields of glacial debris.

See Also

Mine Spoil Waste