open-pit mining
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open-pit mining
A form of mining in which raw materials such as coal or ores are extracted not underground, but at the earth's surface in a large, open pit.
Der riesige Schaufelradbagger arbeitet im Braunkohle-Tagebau.
The huge bucket-wheel excavator is working in the lignite open-pit mine.
The word consists of 'Tag' (day) and 'Bau' (construction/mining, in the sense of mining). It describes the extraction of raw materials at the earth's surface, that is, 'by day' in the light and not underground.
Der Tagebau hinterlässt oft riesige Gruben in der Landschaft.
Open-pit mining often leaves huge pits in the landscape.
'Tagebau' (open-pit mining) is often mentioned in connection with specific raw materials that are extracted this way. Especially common are 'Braunkohle-Tagebau' (lignite open-pit mining), 'Kies-Tagebau' (gravel open-pit mining), or 'Sand-Tagebau' (sand open-pit mining).
In der Lausitz gibt es große Braunkohle-Tagebaue.
There are large lignite open-pit mines in Lusatia.
The term is often associated with large machines such as bucket-wheel excavators and with discussions about environmental destruction and the energy transition.
Die Erweiterung des Tagebaus ist umweltpolitisch sehr umstritten.
The expansion of the open-pit mine is highly controversial from an environmental policy perspective.
pit / mine
'die Grube' and 'der Tagebau' can both have to do with a large hole in the ground and with mining. However, 'Grube' is more general: it can simply be a deep dug-out hole, or also a mine, especially underground. 'Tagebau' is more specific and means a particular type of mining at the surface. There, raw materials are extracted in a large open pit. The words can be confused because an open-pit mine looks like a huge 'Grube'. But not every 'Grube' is a 'Tagebau', and a 'Grube' can also be much smaller or underground.
Die Klasse besucht einen Tagebau und sieht, wie Braunkohle abgebaut wird.
The class is visiting an open-pit mine and seeing how lignite is extracted.
Im Garten ist eine Grube, weil dort morgen ein Baum gepflanzt wird.
There is a pit in the garden because a tree is going to be planted there tomorrow.