mining
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mining
The industrial extraction of natural resources such as coal, ores, or salts from the earth, usually by building tunnels and shafts underground.
Der Bergbau hat die Wirtschaftsgeschichte des Ruhrgebiets über ein Jahrhundert lang geprägt.
Mining shaped the economic history of the Ruhr region for over a century.
The word is made up of 'Berg' (mountain) and 'Bau' (construction/building, from 'bauen' — to build). So it literally describes “building” in or on “mountains” in order to extract natural resources.
Der Bergbau war früher der wichtigste Wirtschaftszweig der Region.
Mining used to be the most important industry in the region.
While 'Bergbau' (mining) refers to the entire industry, the concrete activity of extracting raw materials is often described with the separable verb 'abbauen' (to mine/extract).
In diesem Stollen wird seit 100 Jahren Kohle abgebaut.
Coal has been mined in this tunnel for 100 years.
As a verb phrase, 'Bergbau betreiben' (to engage in mining / to carry out mining) is often used. The work typically takes place 'unter Tage' (underground, below the earth's surface). Frequently mentioned raw materials are 'Kohle' (coal), 'Erz' (ore), and 'Salz' (salt).
Viele Menschen in dieser Stadt arbeiten im Bergbau.
Many people in this city work in mining.
support / extraction
'die Förderung' and 'der Bergbau' are closely related when it comes to mineral resources. Here, 'Förderung' means the specific process: raw materials are extracted from the earth. 'Bergbau' refers more to the whole field of work and industry, including mines, shafts, technology, and work underground or above ground. They can be confused because extraction often takes place in mining. More precisely: Bergbau is the field, while Förderung is the extraction of raw materials within it.
Der Bergbau hat die Geschichte der Stadt über viele Jahre geprägt.
Mining shaped the history of the city for many years.
Wegen der hohen Kosten wird die Förderung von Kohle in diesem Gebiet beendet.
Because of the high costs, coal extraction in this area is being stopped.