strip mine

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Certainly! Let's break down the word "strip mine."

Definition:

Strip Mine (noun): A type of open-pit mine where minerals, usually coal, are removed from the ground. This method is used when the mineral is located close to the surface, making it easier to extract.

Usage Instructions:

• As a noun: You can say, "The strip mine near my town provides jobs for many people."
• As a verb: You might say, "They plan to strip mine the area to get the coal."

Example Sentence:

• "The company decided to strip mine the region because the coal was just beneath the surface."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "strip mine" can be used to discuss environmental impacts or economic factors. For example, "While strip mining is an efficient way to extract resources, it can have severe consequences on the local ecosystem."

Word Variants:

• Strip Mining (noun): The activity or process of extracting minerals using this method.
• Strip-mined (verb, past tense): The past form of the verb, as in "The land was strip-mined last year."

Different Meaning:

In a different context, "strip" can refer to removing something layer by layer (like stripping paint off a wall). However, in the context of "strip mine," it specifically relates to mining.

Synonyms:

• Open-pit mine
• Surface mine

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "strip mine," you might come across phrases like "strip down," which means to remove layers or details, similar to how a strip mine removes layers of earth.

Summary:

"Strip mine" refers to a mining method for extracting resources close to the surface.

Academic

Noun

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

Verb

1. extract (ore) from a strip-mine

Synonyms

• surface mine
• surface-mine