to mine
- verb
- /maɪn/
- Specialized
- Many countries have mined precious metals to boost their economies.
- to mine coal
- to mine ore
- to mine diamonds
Examples
-
To discover new resources, the company mined deep into the ancient hills.
-
To date, over $800 million in gold has been mined in the area.
Academic text (1994) -
95 % of these minerals are mined in China.
-
Even more interesting is the case of Botswana, which has mined diamonds for several decades.
Academic text (2004) -
Limestone is present in all the municipalities of Cebu and is widely mined as a building material.
Academic text (1994) -
The concrete blocks consist of locally mined lightweight aggregates, Portland cement, and water.
Academic text (2008) -
After the excavation was complete, they mined the area for valuable minerals.
Synonyms
To move earth with a tool to make a hole
To remove the top layer of ground to get minerals like coal
To remove large areas of earth and rock to get minerals near the surface
Idioms
- Informal
Something you say when you do not know the answer any more than the other person does
Phrasal Verbs
- Specialized
To remove earth and rock from the ground to get coal or other minerals
- Specialized
To remove large areas of earth and rock to get minerals near the surface
Compounds
- Specialized
An open area where workers remove earth and rock to get minerals near the surface
- Specialized
An enclosed platform that moves people and supplies up and down a mine shaft
- NSFW
A bomb hidden in the ground that explodes when stepped on or driven over
How Extensive
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Etymology
Mine meaning 'to dig for minerals' comes from the noun mine (a place to dig) and the idea of taking ore out of the earth, so to mine is to dig or remove valuable materials from the ground.