strip-mine
Gouge earth open
Strip-mine is a method of mining where soil and rock are removed from the surface to expose ore or coal beneath, rather than digging tunnels underground.
The process strips away layers of earth, often leaving dramatic scars on the landscape.
Figuratively, to strip-mine something is to extract value ruthlessly while leaving damage behind: The company strip-mined the pension fund.
Combustible sedimentary rock
- mineralNaturally formed crystalline solid
- oreMetal-bearing rock
- bitumenViscous hydrocarbon mixture
- sulfideCompound with element sixteen
lignite · phosphate · copper · iron · bauxite · deposit · seam · removal
Excavated from exposed ground
- draglineHeavy digging machine
- shovelTool for moving earth
- loaderOne who fills containers
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
highwall · bench · terracing · spoil · haulage · conveyor · crusher · blasting
Notable act or abuse
- depleteGreatly reduce supply
- plunderGoods seized violently
- exhaustUse up entirely
- drainChannel for wastewater
ravage · gut · pillage · extract · overuse · capitalize · abuse · squeeze
Gradual wearing away
- degradationDecline in condition
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
desolation · wasteland · tailings · acidification · contamination · siltation · topsoil · subsidence
Returning something to condition
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- revegetationRestoring lost plant cover
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
- contouringShaping with highlights, shadows
regrading · topsoil · seeding · wildlife · habitat · bond · compliance · monitoring
coal
Combustible sedimentary rock
sulfide · lignite · phosphate · copper · iron · bauxite · deposit · seam · removal · processing
open-pit
Excavated from exposed ground
overburden · highwall · bench · terracing · spoil · haulage · conveyor · crusher · blasting · drilling
exploit
Notable act or abuse
drain · ravage · gut · pillage · extract · overuse · capitalize · abuse · squeeze · milk
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- degradationDecline in condition
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
biodiversity · desolation · wasteland · tailings · acidification · contamination · siltation · topsoil · subsidence · scarred
restoration
Returning something to condition
- remediationAct of correcting faults
- revegetationRestoring lost plant cover
- reforestationReplanting depleted woodlands
contouring · regrading · topsoil · seeding · wildlife · habitat · bond · compliance · monitoring · closure