Which of the following describes a surface coal mine?

A surface coal mine refers to the method of mining where coal is extracted from the earth's surface rather than through underground operations. This involves removing the overburden—the soil and rock layers above the coal seam—to access and extract the coal located just below the surface.

In a surface coal mine, the extraction process often includes various methods such as strip mining, open-pit mining, or mountaintop removal, where large areas are cleared and processed directly at the site. This answer accurately describes the entire scope of activities involved, from the excavation of the coal to any subsequent processing that may happen on-site.

The other options do not capture the full essence of what constitutes a surface coal mine. While storage of extracted coal, underground mining operations, and retail locations for selling coal may all relate to coal in some capacity, they do not pertain to the definition of a surface coal mine, which specifically emphasizes the extraction and processing aspects above ground.