Hydraulic mining

Hydraulic mining is a technique where powerful jets of water are directed at a hillside or riverbank to dislodge and move large amounts of earth and sediment. Typically used in gold and mineral extraction, the high-pressure water erodes the landscape, allowing the loosened material to be washed downstream for recovery. This method enables miners to access deep deposits efficiently but can cause significant environmental damage, such as erosion and sediment build-up in waterways. Hydraulic mining revolutionized mineral extraction in the past but has been largely phased out or regulated due to its ecological impacts.