Crossword Genius

Material extracted from the ground in return (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

denim

'material' is the definition.
(type of fabric)

'extracted from the ground in return' is the wordplay.
'extracted from the ground' becomes 'mined' (mined from the ground).
'in return' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (return can mean to go backwards).
'mined' in reverse letter order is 'DENIM'.

(Other definitions for denim that I've seen before include "Twill cloth" , "Mined (anag)" , "Tough cotton fabric" , "Coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric" , "Hard-wearing blue fabric" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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