Which of the following industries is characterized by the extraction of natural resources?

The extractive industry is specifically focused on extracting natural resources from the earth, which includes sectors such as oil and gas, as well as mining for minerals and metals. This distinguishes it from other industries like technology, healthcare, and telecommunications, which primarily deal in the provision of services or the creation of products that do not involve the direct extraction of natural resources.

In the context of the extractive industry, companies engage in operations that involve exploring, drilling, or mining for resources that are then processed and sold. The economic activities in this sector are crucial as they provide raw materials necessary for various other industries, and they often have significant impacts on the environment and local economies.

The other options—technology, healthcare, and telecommunications—are not directly involved in resource extraction. Instead, they revolve around innovation, health services, and communication technologies, which rely on extracted resources but do not participate in the extraction process themselves. Therefore, the characterization of the extractive industry accurately captures the primary activities involved in the businesses listed within that classification.