open-pit

American  

[oh-puhn-pit] / ˈoʊ pənˌpɪt /

adjective

Mining.

1. noting or pertaining to a type of surface mining in which massive, usually metallic mineral deposits are removed by cutting benches in the walls of a broad, deep funnel-shaped excavation.

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Etymology

Origin of open-pit

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Federal Court judge Stephen Burley described how four large open-pit mines, a railway, tailings dam, waste dumps and a stockpile were strewn across the lands of the Yindjibarndi people in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

That is partly because the Youanmi underground gold project is less exposed to rising oil prices than open-pit operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Soon, I saw what has drawn so many to Clifton over the last 150 years: one of the world’s largest open-pit copper mines.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

"Jaguar habitat is threatened by proposed open-pit mines, transportation infrastructure and other massive developments as well as the growing threat of insurmountable border barriers," McSpadden told Salon.

From Salon • May 31, 2024

Rock and dirt slides of all kinds, met with in open-pit mining, canals, and other excavations, present engineering problems with a geologic basis.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)