Kaevandeid

Kaevandeid is the Estonian term for mines, referring to sites where minerals and other geological materials are extracted from the earth. The singular is kaevandus; kaevandeid is the plural. The term covers underground mines as well as surface open-pit operations, such as quarries.

Mines can be classified by extraction method: open-pit (surface) mines, which remove rock in steps and create a visible pit; and underground mines, which use tunnels, shafts, and stopes to access ore. The choice depends on geology, ore depth, and economic viability.

Mining is subject to regulation by government bodies. Licenses, environmental permits, and safety standards govern exploration, development, and operation. After closure, sites undergo reclamation to restore land and reduce ongoing environmental risks. Common concerns include land disturbance, water management, dust and emissions, subsidence, and social impacts.

Globally, kaevandeid span a wide range of materials, including metal ores, coal, stone, peat, and oil shale. The term is most often used in Estonian-language contexts to refer to any such mining sites.