strip mine

noun

|Updated on: 2 May 2018

Definition of strip mine

: a mine that is worked from the earth's surface by the stripping of overburden; especially : a coal mine situated along the outcrop of a flat dipping bed

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strip-mine

play \ˈstrip-ˌmīn\ verb

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strip miner

noun

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Recent Examples of strip mine from the Web

These are American landscapes where drill rigs and strip mines simply don’t belong.

— matt lee-ashley, Fortune, "Commentary: Secretary Zinke’s Empty Promise to Fund the National Parks," 16 Apr. 2018
Recovered from the mountain area Letšeng strip mine in January, the stone is believed to be the fifth-largest gem-quality diamond ever recovered.

— kevin mccoy, USA TODAY, "Fifth-largest gem quality diamond in world history sells for $40M," 13 Mar. 2018
Cuccinelli describes with outrage the economic conditions in southwestern Virginia, where many mountaintop strip mines have closed.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "How the EPA's Scott Pruitt Became the Most Dangerous Member of Trump’s Cabinet," 8 Feb. 2018
In November 1999, the state added another 1,650 acres of strip mine lakes and lands west of Essex as the first purchase for $7 million in then-Gov.

— robert themer, The Seattle Times, "EXCHANGE: Natural resources official ends long career," 9 Feb. 2018
One of the sections of the San Miguel lignite coal strip mine near Campbellton is seen Wednesday, May 17, 2017 in an aerial image.

— jennifer hiller, San Antonio Express-News, "Pipeline company and coal mine brawl over South Texas ranch," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strip mine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.