mineral deposits
Underground natural riches
Mineral deposits are natural concentrations of minerals in the earth's crust, formed through geological processes over millions of years.
The term typically refers to accumulations valuable enough to consider mining: The region's iron ore deposits attracted industrial investment.
Deposits may contain metals, gemstones, coal, or other extractable resources.
Geologists survey for deposits; mining companies exploit them.
- magmaticConcerning molten rock
- natural resourcesUseful substances from nature
- miningExtracting earth's resources
- open pitSurface-level excavation site
- stratiform depositsFlat-layered mineral concentrations
geology · hydrothermal · lithium · copper ore · iron ore · mineralogy · salt mines · supergene · rare earth elements · oxide · potash · phosphate · ore · sulfide · shaft · outcrop · motherlode · gold
mineral depositstopsoil
Nutrient-rich surface earth
overburden · humus · regolith · alluvium · atmospheric gases
mineral depositsorganic matter
Material from living sources
biomass · humus · fossil fuels · petroleum reserves · peat