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Mining
Glossary
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Open-Cut (Pit) Mining - A form
of operation designed to extract minerals that lie near the surface.
Waste, or overburden, is first removed, and the mineral is broken
and loaded, as in a stone quarry. Important chiefly in the mining
of ores of iron and copper. The mining of metalliferous ores by
surface-mining methods is commonly designated as "open-pit
mining" as distinguished from the "strip mining"
of coal and the "quarrying" of other nonmetallic materials
such as limestone, building stone, etc.
Opening - A short heading driven between two
or more parallel headings or levels for ventilation.
Outcrop - A term used in connection with a vein
or lode as an essential part of the definition of apex. It does
not necessarily imply the visible presentation of the mineral
on the surface of the earth, but includes those deposits that
are so near to the surface as to be found easily by digging.
Overburden - Used by geologists and engineers
in several different senses. By some, it is used to designate
material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies
a deposit of useful materials, ores, or coal, especially those
deposits that are mined from the surface by open cuts. By others,
overburden designates only loose soil, sand, gravel, etc., that
lies above the bedrock. The term should not be used without specific
definition. Also called burden, cover, drift, mantle, surface.
Overriding Royalty - The term applied to a royalty
reserved in a sublease or assignment over and above that reserved
in the original lease.
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