definition
strict definition
phosphate mine
A site where naturally occurring phosphate minerals are extracted from the earth.
A phosphate mine is a site for the extraction of natural phosphate minerals from the earth. These include various rock ores containing phosphate ions. Phosphates are generally used in the production of fertilizers and in various industrial applications.
The phosphate-bearing minerals are extracted as raw material. The definition can include different phosphate ores rather than a single named mineral.
Fertilizer production is a common later use of the extracted material. A fertilizer plant that does not extract a natural phosphate deposit is not a phosphate mine.
Related definitions
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bauxite mine
A site where naturally occurring bauxite is extracted from the earth, mainly for aluminum production. -
chromium mine
A mine extracting natural chromium ore deposits, primarily the chromium-bearing mineral chromite. -
coal mine
A site where coal is systematically extracted from the earth through tunnels, open excavation, or blasting. -
copper mine
A mine extracting natural copper ore deposits, commonly containing copper-bearing minerals such as chalcopyrite. -
gold mine
A mine extracting natural gold deposits from the earth, including both open-pit and underground workings. -
iron mine
A mine extracting natural iron-bearing deposits, including ores such as magnetite and hematite. -
lead mine
A mine extracting natural lead-bearing deposits, either alone or together with metals such as zinc and silver. -
manganese mine
A mine extracting natural manganese ore deposits, commonly containing the mineral pyrolusite. -
nickel mine
A mine extracting natural nickel-bearing deposits, including laterite deposits and ores containing pentlandite. -
platinum mine
A mine extracting natural platinum-bearing deposits, including recovery alongside nickel or copper. -
salt mine
A mine extracting naturally occurring halite, or rock salt, from deposits within the earth. -
silver mine
A mine extracting natural silver-bearing deposits, often together with ores of other metals. -
tin mine
A mine extracting natural tin ore deposits, principally cassiterite, for recovery of tin. -
titanium mine
A mine extracting natural titanium ore deposits, especially minerals such as rutile and ilmenite. -
uranium mine
A mine extracting uranium from natural deposits for subsequent use, commonly as fuel for nuclear power. -
zinc mine
A mine extracting natural zinc ore deposits, commonly containing the mineral sphalerite.