In surface mining, overburden stripping refers to the removal of the material that lies above an ore body or coal seam (Oubah et al., 2024). This overburden composed of soil, rock, and other geological material must be removed to access valuable mineral deposits underneath. The process is integral to mining operations and directly affects their cost and efficiency. The volume of overburden removed compared to the ore extracted is quantified using the stripping ratio. This ratio is a critical economic parameter in mining and is calculated as: Stripping Ratio = Volume of Overburden / Volume of Ore Types of Stripping Ratios Gross Stripping Ratio: The total volume of overburden removed during the mine's life divided by the total volume of ore mined. Incremental Stripping Ratio: The ratio for a specific portion of the mine, often used for short-term planning. Importance of the Stripping Ratio A low stripping ratio is generally more desirable as it indicates that less overburden needs to be removed to access the ore, reducing operational costs. Conversely, a high stripping ratio increases mining costs and requires careful economic evaluation to determine whether the ore body remains profitable to mine. Challenges in Overburden Stripping Environmental Impact: Overburden removal can lead to habitat destruction, increased erosion, and dust generation. Cost Implications: The equipment, fuel, and labor required for stripping constitute a significant portion of the mining budget. Land Reclamation: Post-mining rehabilitation of stripped areas is necessary to mitigate long-term environmental impacts. Conclusion Optimizing the stripping ratio and overburden removal processes is essential for maintaining the economic feasibility of mining projects. Advanced planning, coupled with technologies like photoanalysis and geospatial mapping, can significantly improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of overburden stripping operations. Blasting waste rock is one of the cost-effective method for removing parent rock in mining. This process involves using controlled explosives to fracture the rock mass, enabling efficient removal of overburden or unmineralized material. It enhances productivity by breaking large volumes of rock quickly, facilitating access to ore deposits while reducing the need for extensive mechanical excavation. Proper blast design minimizes waste and ensures safety.