Mining Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

Mining Terminology

Shaft: Vertical passage for ventilation, drainage, and personnel/materials hoisting; connects surface and underground.
Drift: Horizontal passage close to an ore body, running parallel to the ore vein.
Stope: Excavated area from which ore has been extracted.
Raise: Vertical/inclined passage connecting levels above or used for exploration above a level.
Winze: Vertical/inclined passage sunk to connect with a lower level or explore ground below a level.
Level: Horizontal passages or drifts worked from shafts to access different mining areas.
Sump: Lowest point in the mine for collecting drainage water.
Crosscut: Horizontal opening linking a shaft to a vein, driven across the vein’s direction.
Headframe: Structure at the top of the shaft supporting the hoist rope pulley and often the hoist.
Backfill: Material like sand or dirt used to fill spaces in shafts or tunnels for stability.
Ore Pass: Shaft designed for transporting ore and mining waste within a mine, reducing hauling distances.
Mucking: Loading broken rock using machines or by hand, with mucking machines often replacing manual labor.
Face: Exposed area of a coal bed being actively mined.
Timbering: Method of supporting walls of trenches or tunnels with wooden structures for safety during excavation.
Ventilation: Process of supplying fresh air and removing contaminated air underground; crucial for miner safety, controlling gas and dust.
Shotcrete: Concrete or mortar applied using a hose for ground support and rock stabilization in underground mining.
Collar: Entrance of the shaft, built with sturdy materials for stability; includes ventilation and power supply elements.
Cut and Fill: Controlled ore extraction method; involves excavating a slice of ore, backfilling with waste, then repeating the process.
Decline: Inclined passageway for accessing underground areas, allowing vehicle travel without vertical shafts.
Development: Construction of necessary infrastructure (tunnels, shafts) to access and prepare ore bodies for extraction.
Gouge: Clay-like material from fault zones, impacting stability and posing risks such as collapses.
Hanging Wall: Rock above an inclined vein, also known as the roof in bedded deposits.

Description

Test your knowledge of essential mining terms including shaft, drift, stope, and raise. This quiz will help you understand the key concepts used in the mining industry and their functions in ore extraction and ventilation.