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==Extraction==
[[File:Sunrise Dam Gold Mine open pit 11.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption.|Note the angled and stepped sides of the [[Sunrise Dam Gold Mine]], Australia.]]
[[File:Tagebau Garzweiler bei Otzerath Schaufelradbagger Januar2008.ogv|thumb|
Open-cast mines are dug on [[Bench (geology)|benches]], which describe vertical levels of the hole. The interval of the benches depends on the deposit being mined, the mineral being mined, and the size of the machinery that is being used. Generally, large mine benches are 12 to 15 metres thick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/mining|title=Mining|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref><ref>Mark A. Prelas; Galina Popovici; Louis K. Bigelow (23 September 1997). Handbook of Industrial Diamonds and Diamond Films. CRC Press. pp. 496–. {{ISBN|978-0-8247-9994-6}}.</ref> In contrast, many quarries do not use benches, as they are usually shallow.<ref>Mark A. Prelas; Galina Popovici; Louis K. Bigelow (23 September 1997). Handbook of Industrial Diamonds and Diamond Films. CRC Press. pp. 496–. {{ISBN|978-0-8247-9994-6}}.</ref> Mining can be conducted on more than one bench at a time, and access to different benches is done with a system of ramps. The width of each bench is determined by the size of the equipment being used, generally 20–40 metres wide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/mining|title=Mining|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> Downward ramps are created to allow mining on a new level to begin. This new level will become progressively wider to form the new pit bottom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/mining|title=Mining|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref>
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