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Wiktionary
strip mine

alt. A mine where the material above the ore is removed (stripped) to expose it for removal and use. n. A mine where the material above the ore is removed (stripped) to expose it for removal and use.

WordNet
strip mine

n. an open mine (usually for coal) where the seams run close to the surface

strip mine

v. extract (ore) from a strip-mine [syn: surface mine, surface-mine]