strip mine

Thân thiện

A large strip mine operates in a wide, terraced pit.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An open-pit mine: A "strip mine" is a type of surface mine where layers of soil and rock (overburden) are removed to expose and extract mineral seams, such as coal, that lie near the earth's surface.

2. Verb:

   • To extract by strip mining: To "strip mine" means to obtain ore or minerals by the method of strip mining, involving the removal of surface layers.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The environmental impact of the large strip mine was visible for miles.
  • They proposed converting the area into a strip mine for lignite coal.

• Verb:

  • The company plans to strip mine the entire hillside for copper.
  • This method is used to strip mine minerals that are located close to the surface.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a negative connotation related to environmental degradation.
  • The decision to strip mine the ancient forest was met with widespread protest.

Variants and Related Words

• Strip mining (n): The process or industry of extracting minerals by strip mining.
  • Strip mining alters the landscape dramatically.
• Open-pit mine (n): A synonym, though "open-pit" can sometimes refer to deeper excavations than "strip mine."
• Surface mining (n): A broader category that includes strip mining.

Synonyms

• Noun: Open-cast mine, surface mine.
• Verb: Surface-mine, open-cast.

Related Phrases

• Phrasal Verb: Not commonly used as a phrasal verb. The term itself functions as a compound verb.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly incorporate "strip mine." The term is primarily technical, though it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe severe exploitation.
  • Critics accused the developer of trying to strip mine the neighborhood's historic character for profit.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an open mine (usually for coal) where the seams run close to the surface

Verb

1. extract (ore) from a strip-mine

Từ đồng nghĩa

• surface mine
• surface-mine