Mining removes rocks and minerals that contain useful metals from the Earth’s crust. Image: G. Plumlee, USGS Metals-2-1

Many mines are large surface excavations. Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co. Metals-2-2

Some mines are underground. Image: US Bureau of Mines Metals-2-3

Drilling cuts holes in metal-bearing rock where explosives can be placed. Metals-2-1

Explosions - or blasts - break metal-bearing rock into blocks and fragments. Image: US Bureau of Mines Metals-2-5

Metal-bearing rock broken by blasting is hauled to a crusher. Image: US Bureau of Mines Metals-2-6

Crushed metal-bearing rock - most pieces smaller than a baseball - is ready for processing that removes metals. Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co. Metals-2-7

All mines eventually deplete their valuable metal-bearing rock and close. Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co. Metals-2-8