This paper presents results of a study undertaken to determine the feasibility of mining plains overburdens with bucketwheel excavators. Based on geotechnical testing of overburdens, the relations between material geotechnical properties and cuttability were defined. The properties with the highest correlations to cuttability were used to develop the diggability classification. This classification may be used for identification of overburdens and coals mineable by bucketwheel excavators.