Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth, usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef, or placer deposit. These deposits form a mineralized commodity that is of economic interest to the miner.

Modern mining processes involve prospecting for ore bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials, and final reclamation of the land after the mine is closed. Drilling and blasting is the controlled use of explosives and other methods such as gas pressure blasting pyrotechnics, to break rock for excavation. It is practiced most often in mining, quarrying and civil engineering such as dam, tunnel or road construction. The result of rock blasting is often known as a rock cut.

Mining operations usually create a negative environmental impact, both during the mining activity and after the mine has closed. Hence, most of the world’s nations have passed regulations to decrease the impact. Work safety has long been a concern as well, and modern practices have significantly improved safety in mines.

An explosive charge in a drill hole that has partly or completely failed to explode as planned. Causes include unskilled charging; defective explosive, detonator, or fuse; broken electric circuit or–most dangerous–cutting off of part or all of the charge through lateral rock movement as other holes in the vicinity are fired. Stringent safety precautions cover procedure in minimizing these risks and in dealing with known or suspected misfires. A smoldering fuse may delay explosion, causing a hang fire, so return to workings after a suspected failure is necessary. Another main cause of accident is drilling into or dangerously near a socket–an apparently empty drill hole.