Open-pit mining
Definition
Open-pit mining is a method of extracting minerals or ores from the Earth's surface by removing layers of soil and rock. It involves digging a large open pit or excavation, which allows for easy access to the desired resource.
Analogy
Imagine you have a big bowl of ice cream with different flavors layered on top of each other. To get to the bottom layer, you scoop out each layer one by one until you reach your favorite flavor at the bottom.
Related terms
Strip mining: This term refers to a type of surface mining where layers of soil and rock are removed in strips to extract valuable minerals.
Overburden: Overburden refers to the layers of soil and rock that are removed during open-pit mining to access the desired resource.
Reclamation: Reclamation is the process of restoring land that has been mined back to its original state or repurposing it for other uses after mining activities have ceased.
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