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Mining terminology

Mining terminology Manual

Mining terminology

S

Salt flat
A low-lying, flat area covered with a layer of salts.
Stope
A small opening inside a mine for extracting minerals.
Stripping Ratio
The ratio between the overburden and the minerals that need to be removed.
Subsidence
The sinking of the Earth's surface due to collapses in lower layers.
Seam
A long, narrow layer of coal or mineral within rocks.

T

Tailings Pond
A pond for storing tailings after mining operations.
Tailings Dam
A dam used to store tailings after mineral extraction.
Tailings
The materials left over after extracting minerals from the ore.

U

Unconfined Aquifer
A water layer not confined by rocks.
Underground Mining
The extraction of minerals from beneath the Earth's surface using tunnels inside the earth.

V

Vein
A long, narrow deposit of mineral within rocks.