Mining Terms
Mining terminology contains many words and phrases not common in todays vocabulary.
Mining Terminology
Adit
A horizontal entrance into a mine from the surface. This tunnel may be used for haulage, drainage, ventilation or any combination of the three. Adits in the Highlands typically average 6 feet wide by 6 1/2 feet tall and are somewhat arched.
Chute
An inclined opening by which ore is drawn from a stope into mine cars. This is usually constructed of wood and at its bottom has a manual gate to control the flow of ore.
Collar
A term used to describe the area around the top of a shaft sometimes reinforced with concrete or log cribbing to protect from soil erosion and caving.
Country Rock
The rock surrounding the orebody of no economic importance while the mine was in operation.
Cribbing
A construction of timbers laid at right angles resembling a log cabin. This was often used to line vertical shafts to hold back loose rock and dirt. However, cribbing could also be used to support the roof of a mine or equipment. machine that crushes rock or ore into smaller pieces so that it can be conveyed more easily or separated. Crushers may be located on the surface or underground.
Deposit
A natural occurrence of a mineral such as magnetite, hematite or limonite that warrants exploitation or prospecting.
Dip
The direction or tilt of an orebody measured downwards at right angles along its strike.
Drift
A horizontal tunnel driven along the strike of an orebody.
Exploration
A term used to describe the search for ore and determination as to the extent and location of a mineral deposit.
Fault
The separation of two large portions of the earth that have moved relative to each other. A fault can displace an orebody along the plane of separation.
Footwall
The underside of a vein or orebody along the dip,
Grizzly
A grating placed over an opening to an ore pass or chute usually made of steel rails that prevents large rocks or ore from falling below.
Hanging Wall
The topside of a vein or orebody along the dip.
Headframe
A construction over a shaft that carries sheave wheels that wind cable used for raising and lowering skips and/or men in a shaft.
Hematite
An important iron ore with the chemical formula Fe2O3. Hematite is usually red or reddish brown or steel gray in appearance. Hematite is only mildly magnetic and produces a reddish brown streak.
Hoist
The actual machine used to raise and lower skips and/or men in a shaft.
Incline
An inclined entrance into a mine. Usually guide rails are in place for the purpose of hoisting along the incline. An inclined shaft is usually sunk along the dip or the pitch of the orebody.
Level
A horizontal tunnel which follows or intersects the orebody and is used for access or transportation of ore.
Limonite=
An iron ore with the chemical formula of FeO(OH) • nH2O. Limonite can be yellow to brown and glassy to dull in appearance. Limonite is not magnetic and produces a yellowish brown streak.
Magnetite
An important iron ore with the chemical formula Fe3O4. Magnetite is usually black or bluish-black and shiny in appearance. Magnetite is strongly magnetic and produces a black streak.
Outcrop
A rock or mineral deposit that is exposed at the surface.
Ore
Any rock that contains a mineral that can be mined profitably.
Ore Pass
A vertical or inclined passageway used to transfer ore to a level with a hoisting shaft or to another level.
Orebody
This term is used to describe the overall mass of ore having a usually regular form in length, width and depth. Term can be used interchangeably with vein.
Overburden
The overlying country rock and earth above an orebody.
Pillar
A solid block of ore left in place to support the roof after the surrounding ore has been mined.
Pinch
The thinning of an orebody.
Pitch
The angle of inclination of an orebody along the distance of its strike.
Pyrite
A mineral with the chemical formula FeS2 also known as fool's gold. Pyrite is brassy yellow and very shiny in appearance. Pyrite is not magnetic and produces a greenish black streak.
Raise
An inclined tunnel driven from a lower level to a higher level in a mine.
Shaft
A vertical entrance into a mine used for hoisting and/or ventilation. In the case of hoisting, a headframe is erected over the opening.
Shoot
A narrow concentrated mass of ore branched off the larger deposit.
Skip
A car that rides on rails used to haul ore or country rock through the mine. Skips can be used to haul ore at level ground or can be hoisted up a shaft.
Slope
Can be used interchangeably with Incline.
Stope
The cavity or void created after the ore has been excavated.
Strike
The general direction or course of a mineral deposit. The strike of deposits in the Highlands is generally northeast
Stull
A timber used for the support of overhead rock or the hanging wall. A stull may also be used to support a platform.
Tailings
Country rock removed from a mine that does not contain ore.
Timber
A term that applies to all underground wooden supports.
Timber Set
A frame constructed of wooden timbers to support the roof, side and sometimes the floor of a mine tunnel.
Winze
A vertical or inclined opening driven downward from within the interior of a mine.
