ocr: MINES AND MINING WHAT IS MINING? INING is the extraction of Mm natural resources from the Earth's crust. Mining is possible because over millions à of years geologic forces have concentrated these resources into deposits, some within human reach. Deposits on or near the Earth's surface are often excavated by open pit mining or dredging. Deeper deposits are mined underground. UNDERGROUND MINE This machine is drilling boles for roofbolts.