The extraction of precious minerals or other geological elements from the Earth, usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef, or placer deposit, is known as mining. The economic viability of investing in the equipment, labour, and energy required to extract, refine, and transport the materials found at the mine to manufacturers who can use the material is based on the economic viability of investing in the equipment, labour, and energy required to extract, refine, and transport the materials found at the mine to manufacturers who can use the material.
Mining operations almost always have a negative influence on the environment, both during the mining process and after the mine has closed. As a result, most countries have implemented restrictions to reduce the impact; nevertheless, because mining plays such a large role in providing revenue for typically rural, distant, or economically impoverished regions, governments sometimes fail to fully enforce regulations. Workplace safety has long been a concern, and where contemporary methods have been strictly implemented, mining safety has considerably improved. Furthermore, unregulated or poorly managed mining frequently contributes to local human rights violations and resource conflicts, particularly in emerging nations.