definition
strict definition
platinum mine
A mine extracting natural platinum-bearing deposits, including recovery alongside nickel or copper.
A platinum mine is a site for the extraction of natural deposits of platinum from the earth. Platinum is a lustrous light gray precious metal and a chemical element with atomic number 78. It is used for jewelry, catalytic converters, and other high-tech applications. It is commonly mined as a by-product of nickel and copper ores.
Platinum can be recovered as a by-product rather than the sole output of the mine. The association with nickel or copper does not exclude the platinum extraction described here.
Jewelry and catalytic converters are uses of the recovered metal. Their manufacture alone does not make a facility a platinum 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. -
phosphate mine
A site where naturally occurring phosphate minerals are extracted from the earth. -
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.