mining

mining — noun

1. The work of digging valuable minerals, metals, or fuels out of the earth, or the

1.nounB1
Definition

The work of digging valuable minerals, metals, or fuels out of the earth, or the business that this work belongs to.

Example

Dario moved to northern Chile for a job in the mining industry.

collocation: mining industry

The small town grew quickly after gold mining started in the nearby hills.

Common collocations
  • mining industry
  • mining company
  • gold mining
  • coal mining
  • mining town
  • mining village
  • mining equipment
  • mining waste
Synonyms
  • excavation

    focuses on the act of digging or removing earth, not the industry as a whole

  • quarrying

    specifically refers to extracting stone or gravel from an open pit

  • extraction

    broader; can refer to removing oil, gas, or minerals from the ground

Usage Note

This noun is uncountable, so it is not used with 'a' or 'an'. A person who works in mining is called a miner.

Common Mistakes

He works in a mining.
He works in a mine.' or 'He works in the mining industry.
'mining' is uncountable and cannot follow 'a'.

2. The process of using computer programs to solve mathematical problems and earn u

2.nounB2
Definition

The process of using computer programs to solve mathematical problems and earn units of digital currency, such as Bitcoin.

Example

Hamza set up a small Bitcoin mining operation in his family's garage.

collocation: Bitcoin mining

Cryptocurrency mining uses a huge amount of electricity every year.

Common collocations
  • Bitcoin mining
  • crypto mining
  • mining equipment
  • mining pool
  • mining operation
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

mining of [coin type]

Usage Note

Commonly combines with a currency name placed before it — for example, 'Bitcoin mining' or 'crypto mining.'

Common Mistakes

I do mining for Bitcoin.
I do Bitcoin mining.
the natural phrasing puts the currency name before 'mining', not after 'for.'