Mining is the process of extracting valuable mineral deposits from the earth. It involves exploration, feasibility study, development, utilization and rehabilitation. In general, there are two mining methods that are widely applied in the extraction of valuable minerals; surface (open pit/quarrying) and underground mining. Open pit mining is a type of strip mining that necessitates the removal of layer upon layer of overburden and ore. In many cases, logging of trees and clear-cutting above the ore deposit may precede the removal of overburden. It is therefore, environmentally destructive if progressive and final mine rehabilitation is not implemented. In underground mining, a minimal amount of overburden is removed to gain access to the ore deposit. It is, therefore, less environmentally-destructive means of gaining access to an ore.