Mining operations refer to the process of extracting minerals, metals or other valuable resources from the earth. This can involve digging into the ground, using explosives and heavy machinery to remove rock and dirt, and then processing the extracted material to separate the desired resource from the waste. Mining operations can take place on land (surface mining) or underground (sub-surface mining), depending on the location of the valuable resources. The goal is to extract as much of the valuable resource as possible while minimizing damage to the environment and using the least amount of energy and resources in the process.