Terramining

Terramining is the practice of extracting minerals and energy resources from the solid land of the Earth, encompassing traditional surface and underground mining as well as newer methods designed for land-based deposits. It is distinguished from offshore, subsea, or extraterrestrial mining and from habitat- or soil-restoration projects that do not involve resource extraction.

Techniques used in terramining range from conventional open-pit and underground mining to progressive methods such as in-situ leaching, heap and bioleaching, and solution mining conducted in suitable geological conditions. The workflow typically includes ore delineation through geology and geophysics, extraction, material handling, processing, and rehabilitation of disturbed land. Increasing use of automation, remote sensing, and robotics aims to improve safety and efficiency, while environmental controls focus on water management, tailings containment, dust suppression, and waste minimization.

Environmental and social considerations are central to modern terramining. Potential impacts include landscape alteration, habitat loss, water depletion or contamination, generation of tailings and acid rock drainage, and community displacement. Responsible operation emphasizes early stakeholder engagement, comprehensive environmental impact assessments, robust closure plans, and long-term land reclamation to restore or repurpose mined sites.

Trends include growing emphasis on sustainable mine design, circular economy approaches for material recovery, and the redevelopment of abandoned mines as part of regional redevelopment. Regulatory frameworks and monitoring regimes aim to balance resource needs with environmental protection and social license to operate.

See also: mining, mineral resources, land reclamation, environmental impact assessment, in-situ mining.