STRIP MINING Meaning and
Definition
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Strip mining is a type of surface mining method that involves the extraction of minerals and resources from the Earth's surface by removing overlying layers of soil, rock, and vegetation in long, narrow strips or trenches. This method is extensively employed to extract valuable minerals such as coal, oil sands, limestone, and large deposits of ore.
The process of strip mining typically begins with the clearing of vegetation, topsoil, and overburden, which refers to the layers of earth and rock covering the desired mineral deposits. Heavy machinery, including draglines, bulldozers, and excavators, is then used to remove and expose the mineral-bearing material. The extraction process often involves cutting or digging into the exposed layers of rock to access the desired minerals.
Strip mining allows for the efficient and rapid extraction of large quantities of minerals from vast areas. However, it has significant environmental consequences. The removal of vegetation and topsoil can lead to erosion and habitat destruction, affecting wildlife and plant species. Additionally, the excavated areas are prone to soil and water pollution as chemicals and sediments from the mining process can contaminate nearby rivers, streams, and groundwater sources.
To mitigate the negative impacts, regulations and environmental standards are often implemented to ensure appropriate land reclamation and restoration post-mining. These efforts attempt to restore the site to a more natural state, including returning topsoil, reseeding vegetation, and reclaiming mined-out areas to allow for sustainable land use after the mining operations have ceased.
Common Misspellings for STRIP MINING
- atrip mining
- ztrip mining
- xtrip mining
- dtrip mining
- etrip mining
- wtrip mining
- srrip mining
- sfrip mining
- sgrip mining
- syrip mining
- s6rip mining
- s5rip mining
- steip mining
- stdip mining
- stfip mining
- sttip mining
- st5ip mining
- st4ip mining
- strup mining
Etymology of STRIP MINING
The term "strip mining" evolved from the word "strip" in the sense of removing or clearing away layers or strips of earth. The exact etymology of "strip" traces back to the Old English word "stripan", meaning to plunder or to tear away forcefully. Over time, "strip" came to denote the action of removing or extracting something in a linear fashion.
The addition of "mining" to "strip" in the phrase "strip mining" specifically refers to the extraction of minerals or resources from the Earth's surface. The word "mining" originates from the Old French word "mine", which derived from the Latin word "minare", meaning to dig or work in the mines. Overall, the term "strip mining" can be understood as the act of forcefully removing layers of earth to extract valuable minerals or resources.
Similar spelling words for STRIP MINING
- strip mall,
- stripling,
- strap hinge,
- strip miner,
- stirrup iron,
- strip cropping,
- stripping,
- strip mine,
- strip lighting,
- strip-mined,
- strip down.
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