Mining and quarrying are extractive industry topics encompassing the systematic removal of geological materials from the Earth’s crust for subsequent processing and use. Mining generally targets ore bodies, coal seams, or other mineral deposits via surface or underground methods, involving exploration, resource estimation, drilling, blasting, loading, and haulage, often followed by crushing, grinding, and beneficiation. Quarrying focuses on the extraction of dimension stone, aggregates, limestone, and similar bulk materials, typically via open-pit operations with controlled blasting and mechanical excavation. Research on these topics addresses geotechnical stability, resource modeling, environmental impacts, mine planning and optimization, and occupational health and safety.
Industrial-scale mining in Africa to support global supply chains is leading to unprecedented deforestation across the continent, with 34 hectares of forest removed for every single hectare of active mine site.
Environment
Jun 6, 2026
2
48
Meeting future nickel demand for stainless steel and clean energy technologies will require tough decisions with potential environmental trade-offs, a new study has found. Dr. Jayden Hyman from The University of Queensland's ...
Environment
May 6, 2026
0
20
There's increasing interest in deep-sea mining, but the impacts that this will have on the animals that live in the depths isn't fully understood. A new review led by our scientists is giving us our first insight into how ...
Plants & Animals
May 5, 2026
1
22
A new study using multidecade satellite imagery and face-to-face human interviews tracked the environmental and societal impacts of gravel mining in the Lubha River, Northeast Bangladesh. The researchers found that the river ...
Environment
Mar 12, 2026
0
10
The Trump administration, with the support of many congressional Republicans, is looking to boost deep-sea mining as a way to counter Chinese dominance of critical minerals supply chains.
Environment
Jan 28, 2026
0
20
Mining companies worldwide are expanding mineral extraction at existing mines, as the rate of opening new sites slows, to meet global demand driven mainly by the need for clean energy infrastructure.
Environment
Jan 22, 2026
0
21
The Mississippi River snakes below the bluffs at Spring Lake Park Reserve near Hastings, where people stroll or ski along the trails to take in the view of the majestic river.
Environment
Dec 29, 2025
0
23
As Europe seeks to curb its dependence on China for rare earths, plans to mine the continent's biggest deposit have hit a roadblock over fears that mining operations could harm endangered beetles, mosses and mushrooms.
Ecology
Dec 20, 2025
0
131
A new report reveals the results of a study exploring biodiversity in a region targeted for seabed mining—capturing baseline data, tracking natural changes and assessing the impacts of a polymetallic nodule mining machine. ...
Environment
Dec 7, 2025
0
63
There is high global demand for critical metals, and many countries want to try extracting these sought-after metals from the seabed. An international study, which has discovered large numbers of new species at a depth of ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 5, 2025
6
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