A
Constructing underground metro rail networks through tunneling in rocky terrain
B
Expanding urban real estate by converting agricultural land into commercial zones
C
Extracting groundwater from deep aquifers located beneath metropolitan municipal limits
D
Reclaiming raw materials and precious metals from spent electronic waste and industrial scrap
Correct answer: (d) Reclaiming raw materials and precious metals from spent electronic waste and industrial scrap
Explanation
Option D is correct as urban mining refers to the process of recovering valuable materials like metals from discarded electronics and scrap materials found in urban environments. The other choices incorrectly define urban mining as groundwater extraction, tunneling, or real estate conversion.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.