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Hey guys I have a question. What is strip mining?

I first heard of this on a video from DanTDM .

Strip mining I believe is mining 2x1(maybe) holes through the earth. like little tunnels.

I think of the term similar to branch mining. Which is to go down to level 10 and dig tunnels 1 wide by 3 high every two spaces. That way you can systematically search for diamonds.

strip mining is when you strip the whole land downwards instead of using branches to mine.

It's a technique of mining in which you mine a staircase way low underground (to diamonds level usually, I personally go to y=11 as it's just over the lava level). Once there, you mine little tunnels in straight line. Pretty good mining technique if you ask me, it's really safe versus caving and it's great when you need cobblestone.

IRL, strip mining is a technique used of stripping away all the layers of rock from the surface downward (also known as "open pit mining":

http://en.wikipedia..../Surface_mining

In Minecraft, however, many people misuse the term to describe any kind of mining other than pure caving. Digging horizontal tunnels underground is more correctly referred to as drift mining or branch mining and digging out sloping staircases is more correctly called slope mining. Digging out larger areas underground, but leaving supports is generally refered to as "room and pillar" mining. Exploring caves on the other hand is generally called spelunking or sublevel caving IRL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining

I don't understand why people don't use TNT in strip mining, seems like it would be funner, but you would sacrifice efficiency

Quote from QyMineAsap

It's when Steve gets naked and starts mining

Really. You've got to be joking.
Well thanks you guys now that I know I'm gonna go strip mining right now and get me some diamonds :]! Thanks!

If you want lot's and lot's of cobble stone it is best to Strip Mine - - If you want diamonds it is best to Branch Mine.

A strip mine is when you start at the surface and mine each layer of a specified area, here is a pic of a real life strip mine


A branch mine is what most people are explaining above, 2x1 tunnels, 2 blocks apart, done below layer 16.