open-pit
Strip mining method
Open-pit describes a method of mining where minerals or ore are extracted from a large hole dug into the earth's surface, rather than from underground tunnels.
The technique creates a terraced, bowl-shaped excavation that grows wider and deeper as material is removed.
The open-pit copper mine stretched for miles across the desert landscape.
Open-pit mining is efficient for shallow deposits but leaves significant environmental scars on the land.
Pit for extracting rock
- excavationAct of unearthing
- strip miningRemoving overburden for minerals
- surface miningTopsoil-removal ore extraction
- oreMetal-bearing rock
extraction · overburden · bench · dragline · copper · gold · coal · iron ore
Permanent mark formation
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- erosionGradual wearing away
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
revegetation · toxic runoff · dust pollution · ecosystem damage · remediation · biodiversity loss · subsidence · restoration
quarry
Pit for extracting rock
- excavationAct of unearthing
- strip miningRemoving overburden for minerals
- surface miningTopsoil-removal ore extraction
ore · extraction · overburden · bench · dragline · copper · gold · coal · iron ore · mineral
scarring
Permanent mark formation
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- habitat destructionEliminating natural living spaces
- erosionGradual wearing away
rehabilitation · revegetation · toxic runoff · dust pollution · ecosystem damage · remediation · biodiversity loss · subsidence · restoration · land reclamation
- mininggold, mines, gold mines, mine, coal
- quarry termsblasting, granite quarry, drilling, marble quarry, limestone quarry
open-pitunderground
Below ground or countercultural
underground mining · subsurface · deep mining · subterranean · closed
open, pit, opens, opened, opening, opener, openers, openness, openly