Surface mining is a highly-regulated, highly-sophisticated mining method used to mine coal that is near the surface of the earth.It relies on advanced hydrological and civil engineering techniques to safely extract coal in an environmentally and economically responsible manner.his rock is then placed on previously mined areas, or within engineered “fill” areas. The cut and fill process used in surface mining is the same process that has been used for years in highway construction and real estate development projects.