strip-mined
Dug out openly
Strip-mined describes land or resources that have been extracted through strip mining, a method where soil and rock covering mineral deposits are removed in long strips rather than through underground tunnels.
The strip-mined hillside stood barren for decades.
Figuratively, strip-mined suggests something has been thoroughly depleted or exploited, often carelessly: The company strip-mined the pension fund before declaring bankruptcy.
Excavated from exposed ground
- excavationAct of unearthing
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
- draglineHeavy digging machine
ore · coal · terracing · bench · haulage · shovel · earthmover · crusher
Recovery of something lost
- tailingsPost-extraction mineral waste
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
sediment · erosion · runoff · contamination · scarred · restoration · remediation · watershed
open-pit
Excavated from exposed ground
- excavationAct of unearthing
- quarryPit for extracting rock
- overburdenLoad beyond capacity
dragline · ore · coal · terracing · bench · haulage · shovel · earthmover · crusher · conveyor
reclamation
Recovery of something lost
- tailingsPost-extraction mineral waste
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
pollution · sediment · erosion · runoff · contamination · scarred · restoration · remediation · watershed · groundwater
barren
Unable to produce
- ravagedSeverely damaged or destroyed
- denudedStripped of natural covering
- scarredMarked by healed wounds
wasteland · desolate · exhausted · bleak · forsaken · gutted · ruined · devastated · hollowed · lifeless