mining
 採礦
 Mine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mined p. pr. & vb. n. Mining.]
 1. To dig away, or otherwise remove, the substratum or foundation of; to lay a mine under; to sap; to undermine; hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret means.
    They mined the walls.   --Hayward.
    Too lazy to cut down these immense trees, the spoilers . . . had mined them, and placed a quantity of gunpowder in the cavity.   --Sir W. Scott.
 2. To dig into, for ore or metal.
    Lead veins have been traced . . . but they have not been mined.   --Ure.
 3. To get, as metals, out of the earth by digging.
    The principal ore mined there is the bituminous cinnabar.   --Ure.
 Min·ing n.  The act or business of making mines or of working them.
 Min·ing, a. Of or pertaining to mines; as, mining engineer; mining machinery; a mining region.
 Mining engineering. See the Note under Engineering.
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 mining
      n 1: the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth [syn:
           excavation]
      2: laying explosive mines in concealed places to destroy enemy
         personnel and equipment [syn: minelaying]