mining

/maɪnɪŋ/

/ˈmaɪnɪŋ/

Other forms: minings

The process of removing something valuable from underground is mining. In order for coal to be used as fuel, it has to first be extracted from sedimentary rock through mining.

Mining is used to extract minerals, gemstones, oil, gas, and any other materials that are useful or valuable enough to make the process worthwhile. Digging up substances from the earth is always tedious and sometimes dangerous. Coal mining is notoriously unhealthy for its workers, and surface mining involves blasting rocks with explosives to extract precious metals. You can think of mining as a kind of underground tunneling, from the verb mine, "to dig a tunnel."

Definitions of mining

1. noun

   the act of extracting ores, coal, etc. from the earth
   synonyms: excavation

   types:

   placer mining

   mining valuable minerals from a placer by washing or dredging

   opencast mining, strip mining

   the mining of ore or coal from an open mine

   type of:

   production

   (economics) manufacturing or mining or growing something (usually in large quantities) for sale
2. noun

   laying explosive mines in concealed places to destroy enemy personnel and equipment
   synonyms: minelaying

   type of:

   defence, defense, defensive measure

   (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies