opencast
Dug from above
Opencast describes a method of mining where minerals are extracted from the surface rather than through underground tunnels.
The earth is stripped away in layers to expose the ore or coal beneath: opencast coal mining, an opencast pit.
The term is primarily British; Americans typically say open-pit or strip mining.
Removing overburden for minerals
- surface miningTopsoil-removal ore extraction
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- pitFruit's hard seed
- benchShared seating surface
terracing · highwall · overburden · stripping · dragline · mountaintop removal · spoil · backfilling
Heavy digging machine
- excavatorMachine that digs earth
- dumptruckVehicle that tips to unload
- shovelTool for moving earth
- loaderOne who fills containers
bulldozer · earthmover · grader · scraper · backhoe · crusher · conveyor · spreader
Combustible sedimentary rock
- iron oreExtractable metallic mineral deposit
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- bauxiteAluminum hydroxide ore
- ligniteLow-rank sedimentary fuel
overburden · topsoil · gravel · aggregate · limestone · phosphate · clay · sand
Recovery of something lost
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- revegetationRestoring lost plant cover
- erosionGradual wearing away
- dustFine settled particles
runoff · groundwater · deforestation · biodiversity · topsoil · backfilling · void · pollution
Narrow vertical passage
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- aditHorizontal mine opening
- mineshaftVertical excavation for ore
- pitheadMine shaft entrance
colliery · longwall · stope · underground mining · deep mining · subsurface · drift · gallery
strip mining
Removing overburden for minerals
- surface miningTopsoil-removal ore extraction
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- pitFruit's hard seed
bench · terracing · highwall · overburden · stripping · dragline · mountaintop removal · spoil · backfilling · reclamation
dragline
Heavy digging machine
loader · bulldozer · earthmover · grader · scraper · backhoe · crusher · conveyor · spreader · caterpillar
coal
Combustible sedimentary rock
- iron oreExtractable metallic mineral deposit
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- bauxiteAluminum hydroxide ore
lignite · overburden · topsoil · gravel · aggregate · limestone · phosphate · clay · sand · minerals
reclamation
Recovery of something lost
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- revegetationRestoring lost plant cover
- erosionGradual wearing away
dust · runoff · groundwater · deforestation · biodiversity · topsoil · backfilling · void · pollution · sediment
shaft
Narrow vertical passage
pithead · colliery · longwall · stope · underground mining · deep mining · subsurface · drift · gallery · ventilation
opencastunderground
Below ground or countercultural
subsurface · deep mining · subterranean · underground mining · deep-level
open, cast, forecast, casting, outcast, overcast, caster, castings, casters