SURFACE MINE Meaning and
Definition
-
Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals or other geological materials that are found close to the Earth's surface. This type of mining involves the removal of any overlying rock layers or soil to reveal the valuable resource underneath. It is commonly employed when the desired materials, such as coal, ores, or aggregates, are too deep to be economically accessed by underground mining methods.
The process of surface mining begins with the clear-cutting of vegetation and the removal of topsoil and other overburden materials to reach the mineral deposits. Heavy machinery, such as excavators, bulldozers, and haul trucks, is then used to extract and transport the valuable minerals. The extracted material is usually processed further to separate the target minerals from unwanted impurities.
Surface mining is widely used due to its efficiency in extracting large quantities of minerals quickly. However, it has several environmental impacts, including the destruction of ecosystems and habitats, soil erosion, and the release of pollutants into water sources. These negative effects have led to increased regulations and best practices aimed at minimizing surface mining's ecological footprint.
In summary, surface mining is the extraction of minerals or other geological materials from the Earth's surface by removing overburden materials and employing heavy machinery. While it is an efficient method of mineral extraction, it is also associated with significant environmental impacts.
Common Misspellings for SURFACE MINE
- sirface-mine
- aurface mine
- zurface mine
- xurface mine
- durface mine
- eurface mine
- wurface mine
- syrface mine
- shrface mine
- sjrface mine
- sirface mine
- s8rface mine
- s7rface mine
- sueface mine
- sudface mine
- sufface mine
- sutface mine
- su5face mine
- su4face mine
- surdace mine
Etymology of SURFACE MINE
The word "surface mine" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "surface" and "mine".
The term "surface" originated from the Old French word "sur" meaning "above". It entered the English language around the 17th century, and it pertains to the upper or outermost part of something, specifically referring to the ground or earth's outer layer.
The word "mine" has a deeper historical origin, coming from the Old French word "min" or "mine" meaning "to dig". It can be traced back to the Latin word "minare" meaning "to drive animals". Over time, the term evolved to represent the action of extracting minerals or other valuable resources from the earth by digging underground passages.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
