Mining Glossary

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H

Haulage - The drawing or conveying, in cars or otherwise, or movement of men, supplies, ore and waste both underground and on the surface.

Haulageway - The gangway, entry, or tunnel through which loaded or empty mine cars are hauled by animal or mechanical power.

Head House - A covered timber framing at the top of a shaft, into which the shaft guides are continued that carry the cage or elevator. The term is sometimes applied to the structure containing the hoisting engine, boilers, and other machinery, in addition to the actual hoisting cage, etc.

Heap Leaching - A process used for the recovery of copper from weathered ore and material from mine dumps. This process can also be applied to the sodium sulfide leaching of mercury ores.

Highwall - The unexcavated face of exposed overburden and coal or ore in an opencast mine or the face or bank on the uphill side of a contour strip mine excavation.

Hoist - A power-driven windlass for raising ore, rock or other material from a mine and for lowering or raising men and material. Also called hoister.