Home > Encyclopedia of Science > Mining

• History
• Exploration
• Words to Know
• Surface mining
• Subsurface mining
• Environmental issues

Mining is the process by which commercially valuable mineral resources are extracted (removed) from Earth's surface. These resources include ores (minerals usually containing metal elements), precious stones (such as diamonds), building stones (such as granite), and solid fuels (such as coal). Although many specific kinds of mining operations have been developed, they can all be classified into one of two major categories: surface and subsurface (or underground) mining.

History

Many metals occur in their native state or in readily accessible ores. Thus, the working of metals...