The process of extracting minerals (such as stone) that lie very close to the Earth's surface by simply digging them out is called:

Quarrying is the method of extracting minerals and rocks that lie very close to the surface, by cutting, digging or blasting them out of an open pit called a quarry. It is used mainly for building stones and industrial minerals, such as granite, marble, sandstone, slate, limestone and gravel.

Main methods of mining:

• Minerals are extracted by different methods, depending on how deep they lie and how they occur.
• Quarrying:

Used for minerals lying very near the surface. They are simply dug out.

Commonly used for building stone, gravel, sand and limestone.

• Open-cast (open-pit) mining:

Used for minerals that lie at shallow depths. The overlying soil and rock (overburden) are removed to expose the mineral, which is then dug out in steps (benches).

It is cheaper, safer and more productive than underground mining.

Much of India's coal and iron ore is mined in this way.

• Shaft (underground) mining:

Used for minerals that lie deep below the surface. Vertical shafts are sunk into the ground, and horizontal tunnels (galleries) are dug from them to reach the mineral.

It is costly and risky because of dangers such as poisonous gases, fires, floods and roof collapses.

Some old coal and gold mines in India use this method.

• Drilling:

Used to extract petroleum and natural gas. Deep wells are drilled into the Earth, and the oil or gas is brought up through them.

• Dredging and placer mining:

Used to recover minerals from river beds, beaches and the sea floor, such as sand, tin and gold.

Environmental effects of quarrying and mining:

Loss of forest and farmland, dust and noise pollution, damage to landscapes, loss of groundwater and landslides on hill slopes.

Famous quarries of India:

Makrana in Rajasthan is famous for its white marble, used in the Taj Mahal.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Shaft mining is used for deep deposits.
• ✗Drilling is used for petroleum and natural gas.
• ✗Dredging removes material from under water, such as river beds.