The book is an abridged translation from German of the ninth revised and supplemented edition of the work of one of the largest German mining specialists K.G. Fritzsche. The German original book contains two volumes, which set out a full range of issues related to the development of coal, ore and potash deposits. The following sections of the book are given in the Russian translation: opening and preparation of mine fields, carrying out preparatory workings, systems for developing coal deposits, extracting safety pillars, controlling the roof and fastening the workings with metal support, issues of mining pressure, transport through horizontal and vertical workings, traffic patterns in near-shaft yards. The book is intended for engineering and technical workers of the coal industry, teachers, students of mining universities and students of mining technical schools.