open-pit mine
Giant terraced hole
An open-pit mine is a large excavation in the earth's surface for extracting minerals or ore, dug downward in terraced layers rather than tunneled underground.
The method suits deposits close to the surface: The copper open-pit mine stretched half a mile across.
Also called an open-cut mine or surface mine.
Removing earth below
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- blastingExplosive material removal
- earthmovingRelocating soil mechanically
- gradingAssigning marks to work
bulldozer · backhoe · explosives · detonation · bore holes · bench · ramp · cutback
Metal-bearing rock
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- goldElement seventy-nine
- ironElement twenty-six
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
diamond · uranium · bauxite · minerals · quarry · terraces · stripping · overburden
Impact or volcanic basin
- terracesRaised flat outdoor areas
- pitFruit's hard seed
- basinConcave water receptacle
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
cliff · escarpment · benches · highwall · void · depression · amphitheater · reclaimed land
Extremely great in size
- enormousExtremely large in scale
- immenseExtremely large in scope
- colossalExtremely large in scale
- megastructureMassive artificial construction
deepest · largest · industrial landscape · environmental impact · footprint
digging
Removing earth below
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- blastingExplosive material removal
- earthmovingRelocating soil mechanically
grading · bulldozer · backhoe · explosives · detonation · bore holes · bench · ramp · cutback · deepening
ore
Metal-bearing rock
coal · diamond · uranium · bauxite · minerals · quarry · terraces · stripping · overburden · haulage
crater
Impact or volcanic basin
canyon · cliff · escarpment · benches · highwall · void · depression · amphitheater · reclaimed land
vast
Extremely great in size
megastructure · deepest · largest · industrial landscape · environmental impact · footprint
- gem mininggem cutting, gem quality, rough diamond, rough stones, kimberlite
- metal miningore veins, mineral veins, hematite, copper ore, smelting