Mining

Definition

Mining refers to the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/
• Respelling: MY-ning (with "MY" as in "my" and "ning" as in "sing")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmaɪnɪŋ/
• Respelling: MY-ning (with "MY" as in "my" and "ning" as in "sing")

In both dialects, "mining" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "MY." The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "MY-ning."

Etymology

The term "mining" is derived from the Old English "myne", which means a tunnel. This word's origin can be traced back to Proto-Germanic "mīnō", which is related to the notion of excavating or digging. With the development of organized methods to extract minerals from the earth, the term evolved to refer to the entire process.

Derivatives

• Miner
• Mineshaft
• Mineable
• Minesweeper
• Mineworker

Synonyms

• Excavation
• Digging
• Quarrying

Antonyms

• None

Usage

"Mining" often refers to the act or industry of extracting coal, ores, etc., from the earth.

• The town flourished during the gold mining era.
• Illegal mining has led to environmental degradation in the region.

Related Terms

• Ore
• Pit
• Shaft
• Drilling
• Exploration

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Industry/Activity: The act or process of extracting minerals, coal, etc., from the earth.‍
• Example: The nation's economy is heavily reliant on mining.

• Place/Location: A place where minerals are dug from the ground; a mine.‍
• Example: The old mining town has now become a tourist attraction.

• Computer/Data: In the context of computer science, especially data analysis, mining refers to the process of discovering patterns or information from large amounts of data. Often used in terms like "data mining".‍
• Example: Data mining techniques can help businesses predict future trends.