Overburden

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-019989",
  "term": "Overburden",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Rock and soil cleared away before mining.\n\n2. Material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a deposit of useful minerals or ores.\n\n3. Soils and rocks that have been moved out of the way to get to ore are called \"overburden.\" In areas where there are high concentrations of radionuclides in the rock, overburden may have some enhanced radioactivity, but not enough to mine and process.\n\n4. Soil and rocks that have been moved out of the way to get to the ore are called \"overburden.\" In areas where there are high concentrations of radionuclides in the rock, overburden may contain relatively high levels of radioactivity.\n\n5. Material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a deposit of useful materials, ores, or coal--esp. those deposits that are mined from the surface by open cuts.\n\n6. Used by geologists and engineers in several different senses. By some, it is used to designate material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a deposit of useful materials, ores, or coal, especially those deposits that are mined from the surface by open cuts. By others, overburden designates only loose soil, sand, gravel, etc., that lies above the bedrock. The term should not be used without specific definition. Also called burden, cover, drift, mantle, surface.\n\n7. The unconsolidated material that overlies a deposit of useful materials or ores. It does not include any portion of ore or waste rock.\n\n8. Soil and rocks that have been moved out of the way to get to ore are called \"overburden.\" In areas where there are high concentrations of radionuclides in the rock, overburden may have some enhanced radioactivity, but not enough to mine and process.",
  "subject": "Chemicals, toxics and pesticides",
  "references": [
    "Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Glossary; Terms of Environment",
    "Glossary: Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources; EPA Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report at http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/pdfs/hf-report20121214.pdf",
    "Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary",
    "RadTown Glossary",
    "EPA Mountaintop Mining Valley Fills in Appalachia Draft Environmental Impact Statement at http://nepis.epa.gov",
    "IRS Coal Excise Tax - Appendix I, Glossary of Mining Terms",
    "40 CFR 372.3 (CFR 2013); 40 CFR § 372.3"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/overburden/"
}