Placer (Noun)
Meaning
An alluvial deposit that contains particles of some valuable mineral.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The gold rush brought many prospectors to the area in search of a placer containing valuable nuggets and dust.
- The placer, located near the river, had been mined extensively in the late 19th century, yielding large quantities of gold and silver.
- Geologists often use heavy minerals to identify the source and potential of a placer deposit.
- Extracting valuable minerals from a placer typically requires specialized equipment and techniques due to the often-worn-down state of the mineral particles.
- Environmental regulations govern the removal of a placer, protecting water sources and natural habitats from damage caused by mining operations.