Mining Terms

A list of common mining terms that are used, this is by no means exhaustive.

ADIT - A horizontal tunner driven for access or drainage.

ADVENTURERS - Individuals who funded mines an a cost book system hoping to make a quick profit.

AIR DOOR - Door fixed across a level to direct flow of air for ventilation.

ARCHING - Roof supports in a level built of stone, wood, concrete or iron.

ASSAY HOUSE - The mine laboratory, where samples or ore were analysed for their mineral content.

BACKFILL - Waste rock packed into a disused passage or stope.

BING - Quantity of ore, 2.5 bings = 1 ton.

CROSS CUT - Access tunnel driven to cut the lode.

DEADS - Waste rock stacked in the roof or walls.

DRIFT - A horizontal passage underground. A drift follows the vein.

ENGINE SHAFT - Shaft fitted with pumping equipment.

INCLINE - Inclined underground level or surface track for access or haulage.

KIBBLE - Iron or wooden bucket for raising ore or water.

LEAT - An artificial water-course, built to carry a supply of water to a mine.

LEVEL - Horizontal tunnel driven for access or drainage.

LOBBY - The excavated cutting running up to an adit portal.

LODE - Fissure containing a deposit of ore.

MAGAZINE - Building in which explosives are stored.

OLD MAN - The old miners or their workings.

ORE CHUTE / PASS - A stone or timber lined shaft for getting ore out of a working.

ORE SHOOT - Workable area within a vein or lode.

PILLAR - Area of rock left undisturbed to support the roof. Timbers can also be used for this.

RISE - Underground shaft driven upwards.

SHOTHOLE - Small diameter hole drilled into rock for inserting explosives.

SPOIL - Area of waste rock.

STEMPLE - Wooden bar jammed between rock walls for climbing or supporting deads.

STEMMING - The noncombustible material used to seal an explosive charge in a shothole.

STOPE - Excavated area produced during the extraction of ore-bearing rock. Often narrow, deep and elongated, reflecting the former position of the lode. Where open to the surface, these form GUNNISES or COFFENS. .

SUMP - Underground shaft driven downwards.

TAILINGS - The waste sand and slime from a mine dressing floor, not containing workable quantities of mineral.

VEIN - Fissure containing a deposit of ore.

VENTILATION DOOR - Door fixed across a level to direct flow of air for ventilation.

WHIM or WHIMSEY - Winding engine powered by horse, steam or water.

WINCH - Portable device for raising loads, either hand, steam or air powered.

WINZE - Underground shaft driven downwards.