Abstract: A method for elevating extremely large blocks of earth by displacement with a slurry composed of water and locally excavated materials. The blocks are separated on lateral faces by variously drilling, jetting, fracturing, and kerf cutting operations. The blocks are separated at the lower end by notching and hydraulic fracturing. Block movement is started by injecting gelled fluid into the narrow separations.In one set of applications the high density slurry filling the side clearances is less dense than the block being elevated. In these cases the earth blocks are displaced upward by injecting fluid into the underside, and the non hydrostatic component of the displacement pressure is contained by the gel strength of the slurry filling the narrow side clearance. In a second set of applications the blocks being elevated contain a high percentage of coal, and slurry filling the side clearances exceeds the block density. The blocks are then displaced upward by hydrostatic pressure.