Tagesbau

Tagesbau, in mining terminology, is the open-pit or open-cast mining method in which ore and surrounding waste rock are excavated from the surface. The term is primarily used in German-speaking countries; in English sources the equivalent is open-pit mining. In a Tagesbau the ore body is exposed from the surface and access is gained by stripping away overburden and creating a series of stepped benches. The mining sequence typically involves drilling, blasting (for hard rock), loading with excavators or shovels, and haulage of ore and waste by trucks or conveyors. Each bench represents a mining horizon; the pit is deepened progressively while the sides are stabilized with slopes and drainage.

Tagesbau is suitable for deposits with favorable geology, typically near-surface ore bodies and an acceptable stripping ratio (the ratio of overburden to ore). It is common for coal, lignite, iron ore, copper and other minerals, especially where large volumes must be handled and underground mining would be more expensive or impractical.

Environmental and social aspects are central to Tagesbau: land-use change, habitat disruption, dust, noise, water management, and potential subsidence in adjacent areas. After mining ceases, reclamation aims to restore or repurpose land, often creating lakes, forests, or agricultural land, depending on post-closure plans and permits.

The method requires regulatory permits and ongoing monitoring to manage environmental impacts and ensure stability of the remaining pit walls and water systems. It contrasts with Untertagebau, or underground mining, where ore is extracted below the surface.