Physical

The physical mining stage is the actual extraction of minerals or ores from the earth's crust. This stage involves several processes that depend on the type of mineral being mined and the location of the mine. Generally, the first step involves finding and identifying potential mining sites through geological surveys and exploratory drilling. Once a suitable site is identified, the surface vegetation is removed, and the topsoil is excavated to expose the ore.

​

After the initial preparations, the mining process can proceed through several methods. Open-pit mining is one such method where large portions of the earth's surface are removed to access the ore. Underground mining involves creating tunnels to access the ore. In situ mining is another method used for minerals like gas and oil where the extraction process is done by creating wells and pipelines. The physical mining stage can result in environmental damage and social disruption if not done with proper planning and regulation.