Oil sands extraction is a process used to obtain crude oil from a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen. The bitumen is a thick, sticky form of petroleum that must be separated from the other materials. This is typically done through surface mining or in-situ methods, where steam is injected underground to heat the bitumen, making it easier to pump to the surface. The largest oil sands deposits are found in regions like Alberta, Canada. Extracting oil from these sands can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat disruption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the industry faces ongoing scrutiny and calls for more sustainable practices.