alluvial mining

noun

1. a method of extracting minerals by dredging alluvial deposits

Example Sentences

Residents of La Toma have long practiced both alluvial mining — panning in the Ovejas for gold washed down from the hills — and digging for ore in tunnels cut deep into dirt and rock.

From Los Angeles Times

Alluvial mining, in which small gold flecks are sifted out of sandy sediments deposited by runoff from the Andes over centuries, is heavily dependent on mercury and the surrounding jungle has been poisoned by tons of the toxic metal.

From US News

This is known as “alluvial” mining.

From Forbes

Shefa Yamim has until now been focusing most on alluvial mining, which is shallower along the riverbed in the valley.

From Reuters

The contrast between the modern new plant, based in the town of Koidu, and traditional hand-dug alluvial mining could not be more stark.

From BBC