MINE SURVEYING

Basic Terms
ADIT
APEX
• It is a portion of
the surface of the
undisturbed rock
formation which is
included between
the walls or sides
of the mineral
deposit.
BACK
Top or roof of an underground opening
BORE HOLE

A hole,
sometimes a
great depth,
drilled for
exploration or
to facilitate
operations
COLLAR
The timber structure or concrete at
the top of a shaft.
CONNECTION
A passageway driven from one part of
underground workings to another
CROPLINE/OUTCROP
Intersection of an ore body and the earth’s
surface.
CROPLINE/OUTCROP
Intersection of an ore body and the earth’s
surface.
CROSSCUT
Horizontal opening (breakthrough)
between entries.
 DIP
• The maximum inclination
from the horizontal of a
vein of ore. It lies in a
place perpendicular to the
strike of the vein.
• It is the angle at which
beds on strata are inclined
from the horizontal.
• The vertical angle between
the plane of the vein and
horizontal plane measured
perpendicular to the strike.
 DRIFT
• A horizontal
passage which
follows the vein.
• Horizontal or
nearly horizontal
opening in or into
an ore deposit.
 ENTRY OR HEADING
• An opening
driven in or into
an ore deposit for
use as hallways,
ventilation,
and/or access.
 FACE
• End wall of an entry or an opening extracted
 HEADING
• A preliminary passageway driven for
exploration or as an aid to future work.
 HEAVE
• It is the distance between the two parts of
the same vein which is divided by a fault,
measured along a strike.
 LEVEL
• Working section
designated by an
elevation difference
from the surface.
• A horizontal drift or
passage for the
purpose of working.
Where a number of
levels are necessary,
they are usually
established at regular
vertical intervals.
 OPEN PIT MINE
• Large open excavation developed for extracting
deep or steeply pitching ore deposits.
 PILLAR
• Block of ore/rock between the entry and the
crosscut used to support the overburden.
 RAISE
• Vertical or sloped opening in the ore from a level.
• An excavation from which ore has been extracted
either above or below a level.
 RIB
• Wall of an entry.
 ROOM
• Area from the last crosscut to the face.
 ROOF
• The top of the passage or drift
 SHAFT
• Vertical or sloped opening in or into a mine used for
a haul way, ventilation, or for access.
 SPAD
• Metallic marker usually set in a wood plug in the
roof for traverse and projection control.
• It is a small nail or hook in the roof which marks a
survey station and from which a plumb bob maybe
hanged.
 STOPE
• Working section or room from which ore is
extracted.
 STRIKE
• The direction (bearing) of a horizontal line in the
place of a vein of ore. It is perpendicular to the dip.
• A horizontal line on a vein or stratum on the bearing
of such line.
• The line of intersection of the vein with a horizontal
plane.
 STRIP MINE
• Mine developed for excavating ore, usually coal,
along the contour of the surface.
 TOP
• Top of the room or opening.
 TUNNEL
• It is a relatively horizontal passageway open at both
ends.
 WINZE
• A vertical and or inclined opening driven downwards
from a point inside a mine for a purpose of
connecting with the lower level.
 VIEN OR LODE
• A body of ore whose area is much greater than its
thickness.
• A relatively thin deposit of mineral between definite
boundaries.