METALLURGY: the art of separating minerals from the gangue in ores; also combining metals to form alloys.
MINE: an excavation for the purpose of extracting mineral.
MINERAL: an inorganic substance contained in the earth.
MUCK: broken rock in a mine.
OPEN CUT: a drift or crosscut that does not enter cover.
OPEN PIT: a large excavation beginning at the surface.
ORE: a mineral deposit that can be mined at a profit; includes the mineral itself and the gangue.
OUTCROP: that portion of a mineral deposit appearing at the surface.
PLACER: a mineral deposit of unconsolidated particles.
QUARRY: similar to an open pit, usually applied to building stone.