Surface mining primarily involves which of the following actions?

Surface mining is a method that focuses on extracting minerals that are located close to the earth's surface. The process involves removing the overburden, which consists of soil and rock, in order to access the mineral deposits underneath. This method is highly efficient for minerals that are situated in shallow locations because it allows for a larger area to be exposed at once, facilitating the extraction process.

The removal of soil and rock above the mineral deposits is a crucial step in surface mining and is typically done using heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and draglines. Understanding this approach is essential for those involved in surface mining operations, as it directly impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of mineral recovery, as well as environmental considerations and land reclamation practices.

In contrast, actions like digging tunnels underground pertain to underground mining, extracting minerals from underground aquifers is not related to the primary focus of surface mining, and utilizing hydraulic systems, while potentially useful in some mining contexts, is not a defining activity of surface mining itself. Thus, it is clear that removing soil and rock above mineral deposits is the fundamental action in surface mining operations.