|
Term |
Description |
|
|
AA AA |
Always afloat, always accessible. |
|
ABANDONED WORKINGS |
Sections, panels and other areas that are not ventilated and examined in the
manner required for work places. |
|
ACTIVE WORKINGS |
Any place in a mine where miners are normally required to work or travel. |
|
ADIT |
A nearly horizontal passage from the surface by which an underground mine is
entered. |
|
ADVANCE |
Exploitation in the same direction or order of sequence as development is known
as mining in advance. |
|
AFFREIGHTMENT |
Comes from French, and means "the hiring of a ship to carry cargo,". This term
describes "a contract of carriage" and is less frequently used today. Rather,
such a contract is now more simply reffered to as a "charter". However, modern
shipping terminology has assigned a specific meaning to a "Contract of
Affreightment" (COA). A COA refers to a contract to move a (large) volume of
cargo over an agreed period of time. |
|
AFTERDAMP |
Atmospheric pollution following fire or explosion (usually lethal). |
|
AIR |
Ventilation air current. |
|
AIR COURSE |
A passage through which air is circulated. |
|
ADB |
Air Dried Basis. |
|
AIR LOCK |
The passage, closed at both ends by stoppings with doors, connecting two airways
along which currents of air having different pressures are flowing. |
|
AIR SHAFT |
A shaft used exclusively for conducting air. |
|
AIR SPLIT |
The division of a current of air into two or more parts. |
|
AIRWAY |
Underground passageway along which air passes. |
|
ALLIGATOR |
Wheeled skip running on a steep incline - self-unloading on surface. |
|
Always accessible |
Empowers the charterer to send the vessel to ports where the vessel can be
reached for the purpose of handling cargo or carrying out activities with the
shore as required. |
|
Always Afloat |
An "always safely afloat" clause is inserted in the charterparty for the purpose
of preventing a vessel from being ordered to berth where it cannot
load/discharge without touching the ground or discharging part of its cargo
prior to berthing. |
|
ANEMOMETER |
Instrument for measuring air velocity. |
|
ANFO |
Ammonium Nitrate mixed with fuel oil for an explosive. |
|
ANGLE OF REPOSE |
The maximum angle from horizontal at which a given material will rest on a given
surface without sliding or rolling. |
|
ANTHRACITE |
Coals with a volatile-carbon ratio equal to 0.12 or less. It has a bright black
lustre and is coal of the highest rank. |
|
ANTICLINAL AXIS |
The ridge of an anticline. |
|
ANTICLINE |
Upwards-arched fold in the rock strata resulting from horizontal pressure.
Usually the beds dip outwards in two or more directions from the crest. |
|
APPARATUS |
Rescue work from coal mine fires and explosions. |
|
APPARENT STEEL PRODUCTION |
The term applied to measure the crude steel production (expressed in terms of
crude steel equivalents which adjusts for processing losses during production of
crude steel) of a country after adding back the crude steel equivalent tonnage
of imported steel minus crude steel equivalent tonnage of exported steel. |
|
AQUIFER |
A water-bearing bed of porous rock, often sandstone. |
|
ARA |
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp. |
|
ARCH |
A steel support of two or three sections which, when bolted together, form a
strong permanent support. |
|
ARCHING |
Fracture processes around a mine opening, leading to stabilisation by an arching
effect. |
|
ASSESSMENT LEASE |
Title granted under the Mining Act 1992 to allow exploration and the retention
of rights in a coal resource until a mining lease is granted. |
|
ASH |
Inorganic residue after incineration of coal. |
|
ASH ANALYSIS |
Expresses the composition of ash in terms of its oxides. |
|
AUGER |
A rotary drill for soft materials that uses a screw device to penetrate, break
and then transport the drilled material. Auger-type devices are popular in soft
coal. To aid penetration and decrease wear on the auger rods, a hard- faced bit
is used at the contact between drill and fresh material. |
|
AUGER MINE |
A system of mining that involves the use of a large diameter scroll drill to
recover coal near seam outcrops or in open-cut mines where the strip ratio
exceeds economic limits. |
|
AUXILIARY FAN |
Used in conjunction with air ducting to direct a portion of the main ventilating
current to the working face. |
|
AUXILIARY VENTILATION |
Portion of main ventilating current directed to face of dead- end entry by means
of an auxiliary fan and tubing. |
|
AVERAGE CONCENTRATION |
A determination which accurately represents the atmospheric conditions with
regard to respirable dust to which each miner in the active workings of a mine
is exposed. |
|
BACK END |
Side section of the coal face remaining after the centre section has been shot
out by explosive. |
|
BACK ENTRY |
An entry that is back from the working face. |
|
BACK HOLES |
Roof holes of a round of shots (see "Backs"). |
|
BACK OVER |
Rail siding or set of prints where normal direction of travel has to be reversed
to enter. |
|
BACK PRIMED |
When the priming charge of a shot is placed at the back or bottom of the
shothole. |
|
BACK TO BACK |
A double plug receptacle for joining two miner cables together. |
|
BACKS |
Roof of inclined driveages such as a cross measure drift. |
|
BACKWARDATION |
When a derivative instrument (future or swap) price is below the expected future
spot price. |
|
BAIT TIN |
See "Crib Can". |
|
BALER |
See "Water Baler". |
|
BALK/BAULK |
Squared, round or half round timber beam set across roadway for roof support. |
|
BALL ROOM |
Large space left following unusually high fall of roof. |
|
BAND |
Slate or rock interstratified with coal. Also called "slate band", "sulphur
band",etc. |
|
BANK |
(1) Surface where the cages in a shaft come to rest. (2) The main haulage way. |
|
BANK TO BANK |
From surface to surface: A period of work (shift) is measured from the time the
underground employees enter the mine at the bank until they return to the bank. |
|
BANKSMAN |
Person in charge of the operation of the cage(s) at the shaft top. |
|
BAR |
A round, half-round cross-sectioned wooden roof support which is set in contact
with the roof and held in position by props, roof bolts, or both. |
|
BAR DOWN |
To lever loose material from the roof to make it safe. |
|
Bareboat Charter or demise charter |
It is an agreement whereby a vessel owner leases out the ship for an agreed
period to a demise charterer�. The charterers obtain complete control,
possession and manage the ship as if they were the owner. The actual registered
ownership remains with the owner. Bareboat charters were not in common use
before the 1970s. It was not until 1974 that BIMCO (the Baltic and International
Maritime Council, Denmark) published two standard forms. More recently these
forms have been amalgamated to create the current form known as BARECON 89. |
|
Barge Loader |
A port facility where coal barges are loaded. |
|
BARRICADE |
To obstruct passage of persons, vehicles or flying materials. |
|
BARRICADING |
Enclosing part of a mine to prevent inflow of noxious gases from a mine fire or
an explosion |
|
BARRIER |
Block of coal left unworked in a mine as: (1) protection against flooding, fire,
gas or other danger; (2) a division of a mine into separate ventilating
districts; (3) a boundary between mines. |
|
BATTER |
The slope on the side of cuttings or on dump or walls. |
|
BE or Bends |
Both Ends. This is an expression commonly used when negotiating for the
chartering of a vessel, in the context that arrangements agreed upon apply at
both the loading and discharging port(s). |
|
BEAM |
A bar or straight girder used to support a span of roof between two support
props or walls. |
|
BEAM BUILDING |
The creation of a strong, inflexible beam by bolting or otherwise fastening
together several weaker layers. In coal mining this is the intended basis for
roof bolting. |
|
BEARING PLATE |
A plate used to distribute a given load. In roof bolting, the plate used between
the bolt head and the roof. |
|
BED |
Stratum of coal or other sedimentary deposit. |
|
BELL WIRES |
Electric signal or control wires on belt conveyor, roperoad or incline. |
|
BELT EXTENSION |
A job of adding lengths of structure to a conveyor belt to move its receiving
point inbye. |
|
BELT HEAD |
Location of belt head pulley. |
|
BELT IDLER |
A roller, usually of cylindrical shape, which is supported on a frame and which,
in turn, supports or guides a conveyor belt. Idlers are not powered but turn by
reason of contact with the moving belt. |
|
BELT MAN |
A person who operates or maintains the belt. |
|
BELT OR BELT CONVEYOR |
A looped belt on which coal or other materials can be carried and which is
generally constructed of flame-resistant material or of reinforced rubber or
rubber-like substance. |
|
BELT RETRACTION |
A job of removing lengths of structure from a conveyor belt to move its
termination point outbye. |
|
BELT TAKE-UP |
A belt pulley, generally under a conveyor belt and inbye the drive pully, kept
under strong tension parallel to the belt line. Its purpose is to automatically
compensate for any slack in the belting created by start-up, etc. |
|
BENCH |
(1) When a high wall becomes too high for safety a bench is used to act as a
buffer for falling rocks. (2) To advance a sinking shaft by taking rounds first
from one side of the shaft and then from the other. |
|
BERM |
A pile or mound of material capable of restraining a vehicle. Or a horizontal
interval between two benches in a high wall wide enough to contain any falling
objects (also called safety berm or safety bench)
|
|
BEST |
Large coal (as loaded into rail trucks etc.). |
|
Bill of Lading |
Document indicating a) cargo receipt prepared by shipper and signed by carrier,
b) proof of ownership of the cargo, c) evidence of terms and conditions of the
contract for carriage of cargo by sea. |
|
BIN |
Coal storage area - underground excavation or surface structure. |
|
BINDER |
A streak of impurity in a coal seam. |
|
BIT |
The hardened and strengthened device at the end of a drill rod that transmits
the energy of breakage to the rock. The size of the bit determines the size of
the hole. A bit may be either detachable from or integral with its supporting
drill rod. |
|
BITUMINOUS COAL |
A general term descriptive of coal intermediate in rank between sub-bituminous
and semi-anthracite and including coking coals. Bituminous coals may be either
bright or dull and are usually banded in appearance. |
|
BLACK COAL |
A general term for coal of either sub-bituminous, bituminous or anthracite rank. |
|
BLACK DAMP |
A term generally applied to carbon dioxide. Strictly speaking, it is a mixture
of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. It is also applied to an atmosphere deficient in
oxygen, yet not containing significant methane. |
|
BLACKS |
The name given to the coal black shale material at the top of the coal seam;
when mining, it often hides the true stone roof. |
|
BLAST |
A controlled explosion which is used to loosen the substance being mined. |
|
BLASTING AGENT |
Any material consisting of a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer which: (1) Is
used or intended for use in blasting. (2) Is not classed as an explosive by the
Department of Transport. (3) Contains no ingredient classed as an explosive by
the Department of Transport. (4) Cannot be detonated by a No. 8 blasting cap
when tested as recommended by the Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8179. |
|
BLASTING AREA |
The area near blasting operations in which concussion or flying material can
reasonably be expected to cause injury. |
|
BLASTING CAP |
A detonator containing a charge of detonating compound, which is ignited by
electric current or the spark of a fuse. Used for detonating explosives. |
|
BLASTING CIRCUIT |
Electric circuits used to fire electric detonators or to ignite an igniter cord
by means of an electric starter. |
|
BLAST FURNACE |
The receptacle for iron ore, coke and other raw materials used in the processing
of iron ore into pig iron. Pig iron is subsequently processed into steel. The
following chart shows the various components of the steel making process.
 |
|
BLASTING SWITCH |
A switch used to connect a power source to a blasting circuit. |
|
BLEEDER (BLEEDER ENTRIES) |
Special air courses developed and maintained as part of the mine ventilation
system and designed to continuously move air-methane mixtures emitted by the gob
away from active workings and into mine-return air courses. |
|
Blends |
A mixture of 2 or more coal types or brands. In the case of coke making,
blending provides the manufacturer with the potential to mix lower cost poorer
coking coals with higher cost hard coking coals and thereby reduce the overall
cost of the coke oven feed. |
|
BLOCK |
A dimensional delineation of the coal; as in "a block of coal" or, "the reserves
are blocked out". |
|
BLOW PIPE |
A thin pipe used to clean out shotholes with compressed air or water. |
|
BLOWER |
Jet of gas from strata. |
|
BLOWN OUT SHOT |
A shot that has failed to do its work. The energy of the explosives has blown
out of either the front or the back of the shothole. |
|
BOARD AND PILLAR |
A continuous miner system of mining whereby a series of parallel roadways or
headings are driven into the block of coal and interconnected by roadways known
as cut-throughts to form solid coal blocks or pillars. Dimensions vary from 10
to 110 metres. |
|
BOGHEAD COALS |
(Kerosene shale, oil shale, torbanite). Members of the sapropelic coal group,
resembling cannel coals in general appearance and properties but distinguished
microscopically by the presence of alginite, and macroscopically by a brown or
yellow streak when scratched. |
|
BOLT TORQUE |
The turning force in foot-pounds applied to a roof bolt to achieve an installed
tension. |
|
BOLTING MACHINES |
Equipment used to install bolts into the roof, sides or floor surrounding mine
roadways. |
|
BOLTING RIGS |
Equipment used to install bolts into the roof, sides or floor surrounding mine
roadways. |
|
BONE |
Low quality coal. |
|
BOODLE |
To move coal, dirt or stone with a shovel or by hand (stone). |
|
BOOM (OR JIB) |
The extension of the loading conveyor which allows for the discharge of coal
into another receiver, i.e. miner, shuttlecar, breaker feeder or conveyor boom
(or jib). |
|
BOOSTER FAN |
An appliance used in a ventilation district or main airway to increase air flow. |
|
BOOT END |
This is the receiving hopper situated on the end of the panel conveyor. It
accepts the coal from the shuttle car. |
|
BORD |
(1) Underground passageway made in solid coal in mining by the bord and pillar
method. Australian legislation prevents bords from being driven over 5.5 m wide.
(2) In certain mining districts a bord is a working place at right angles, or
nearly so, to the direction of cleavage of the coal. (3) A driveage in the
direction of advance of a panel or district. |
|
BORD AND PILLAR |
Method of underground coal mining where bords and cut- throughs are driven to
form pillars. In some cases, the pillars are removed in a concurrent or later
operation. |
|
BOREHOLE |
Any deep or long drill-hole, usually associated with a diamond drill or an oil
well drill. |
|
BORER |
A device for making holes. The difference between a borer (used for making
tunnels, circular shafts, and the like) and a drill, is the size of the hole
produced. Borers take the large range of plus .9 m to 1.2 m. Because of the size
involved, a borer is usually much more complex than a drill. |
|
BOTTOM GAS |
Mixture of methane and CO2 found near the floor in some mines. |
|
BOTTOMS |
The floor of the mine is usually stone but where coal is left accidentally or
otherwise forming the floor, these are called "bottoms". |
|
BOX-CUT |
The initial opening used to access coal seams in an open-cut operation. |
|
BOX-TYPE MAGAZINE |
A small, portable magazine used to store limited quantities of explosives or
detonators for short periods of time at locations in the mine which are
convenient to the blasting sites at which they will be used. |
|
BRACE |
Landing stage in the headframe at which the skips are run out from the cage. See
also "Bank". |
|
Brand |
The name given to a particular coal product. Each brand has its unique
specification. |
|
BRASSY (COAL) |
Containing pyrite or marcasite, both sulphides of iron. |
|
BRASSY TOPS |
Low grade top coal impregnated with pyrite or marcasite. When exposed to air,
these minerals may decompose causing heating and a fire. |
|
BRAT |
Thin flakes of stone band or coal sticking to the roof which fall away
unexpectedly after the coal is mined. |
|
BRATTICE (BRATTICE CLOTH) |
Fire-resistant fabric or plastic partition used in a mine passage to confine the
air and force it into the workinging place. Also termed "line brattice," "line
canvas", or "line curtain". |
|
BREAK |
A crack or cavity in the strata encountered when boring-a shothole. |
|
BREAK DETECTOR |
A specially shaped tool used to detect breaks in shotholes. |
|
BREAK LINE |
The line which roughly follows the rear edges of coal pillars that are being
mined. The line along which the roof of a coal mine is expected to break. |
|
BREAKER |
Switching device in electrical circuits or "Bradford Breaker" in coal
preparation. |
|
BREAKER PROPS |
Large wooden props set in a group at the goaf edge. They are used to break off
the goaf fall at a given point and prevent the fall extending along the roadway. |
|
BREAKTHROUGH |
(1) A narrow passage for ventilation which is cut through the pillars between
bords. (2) That point in the mining cycle when the coal cutting machine meets
another underground roadway or goaf edge. |
|
BREAST |
The face of a working. In coal mines, a chamber driven in the seam from the
gangway, for the extraction of coal. |
|
BRETBY |
Trailing cable attachment to protect cable from damage, powering shearer -
special type of cable stocking for longwall shearers. |
|
BRIDGE CARRIER |
A rubber-tyre-mounted mobile conveyor, about 9.1 m long, used as an intermediate
unit to create a system of articulated conveyors between a mining machine and a
room or entry conveyor. |
|
BRIDGE CONVEYOR |
A short conveyor hung from the boom of a mining or loading machine, with the
other end attached to a receiving bin that dollies along a frame supported by
the room or entry conveyor tailpiece. Thus, as the machine boom moves, the
bridge conveyor keeps it in constant connection with the tailpiece. |
|
BROKEN WORK |
Pillar coal - as opposed to solid. |
|
BROWN COAL |
Coal of the lowest rank, of a soft friable nature and high moisture in the
air-dried sample. |
|
BRUSH (TO) |
To remove rock or coal from the top (roof) of an opening (heading), thereby
increasing the height of working. Used particularly in the longwall method of
mining. The rock is packed elsewhere to provide support for the roof. The term
has also been applied to the floor and roof. |
|
BRUSHERS |
Men who remove the rock from the roof or floor of a heading as a separate
operation from mining coal. |
|
BRUSHING |
Digging up the bottom or taking down the top to give more headroom in roadways. |
|
BSM |
Brazilian Steel mills including the 5 major coal importers, ACOMINAS, COSIPA,
CSN, CST and USIMINAS |
|
BTU |
(British Thermal Unit) The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of
one pound of distilled water 1°F at its point of maximum density. |
|
BUG DUST |
The fine particles of coal or other material resulting from the boring or
cutting of the coal face by drill or machine. |
|
BULL |
Anti-runback device on rear of train of skips. |
|
BULLED HOLE |
Resulting from a blown out shot. The shothole is shattered to a greater or
lesser degree, depending on the charge and generally results from too much
"burden" on the shot. |
|
BUMP (OR BURST) |
The release of strain energy by the rock around the face area; the result is
both noise and movement often resulting in rib falls. |
|
Bunker |
Is the section within the ship where the fuel is stored. The expression "
Bunkers" is the fuel energy used by the ship. This can include different grades
and types of fuel oil used, and coal. |
|
BUNKER COAL |
A term reserved for coal supplied as fuel to ships. |
|
BUNTONS |
Timber, concrete or steel members set in a shaft to support rail guides, cables,
etc. |
|
BURDEN |
The thickness or quantity of rock that a single number of shots is expected to
move. |
|
BURN CUT |
A number of more or less parallel holes drilled into a face, some of which are
charged and fired to form the "cut" into which subsequent holes fire. |
|
BUTT |
That portion or remainder of a shothole found in the face after a shot has been
fired.
|
|
BUTT CLEAT |
A short, poorly defined vertical cleavage plane in a coal seam, usually at right
angles to the long face cleat. |
|
BUTT ENTRY |
A coal mining term that has different meanings in different locations. It can be
synonymous with panel entry, sub-main entry, or in its older sense it refers to
an entry that is "butt" onto the coal cleavage (that is, at right angles to the
face). |
|
BUTTERFILES |
(1) Skip stoppers (2) Steel (usually pieces of "W" strap) used to support the
roof around some roof bolts. |
|
C&F |
Cost and Freight. See CFR. |
|
CABIN |
Term used for underground office. |
|
CABLE REEL |
Device for paying out and reeling in of a trailing cable as a machine moves away
from or towards the cable anchor. |
|
CAGE |
Box-like container attached to the winding rope and used to hold the skips or
the men during the hoisting operation in the shaft. |
|
CAKING COAL |
Coal which leaves a coherent (agglomerated) residue when subjected to fast
heating. |
|
CALL OPTION |
The right but not the obligation to buy an underlying asset. |
|
CALORIFIC VALUE |
Quantity of heat produced when a unit weight of coal burns. Calorific value is
measured in British thermal units per pound or calories per gram. |
|
CANCH |
(1) Upper portion of a coal pillar mined in advance of the lower portion. The
term is used to describe a method of pillar removal adopted by some mines
working the thick Greta gas coal seam in the Maitland District, New South Wales.
(2) A step up in the level of a roadway floor. |
|
CANNEL COALS |
Members of the sapropelic coal group, generally tough, unbanded, and of satin
sheen or waxy lustre, distinguished microscopically by a black, shiny streak
when scratched. Generally high in volatile matter, they are readily ignited and
burn with a luminous smokey flame. |
|
CANOPY |
A protective cab on a mining machine. |
|
CANVAS |
The term is usually applied to brattice cloth, which is a heavy canvas of
cotton, hemp or flax and frequently fireproofed. |
|
CAP |
(1) A pale blue flame that forms above the ordinary yellow flame in a safety
lamp. It is due to firedamp (methane) burning. The quantity of firedamp present
is estimated from the size and shape of the cap. (2) A piece of timber placed
horizontally on top of-one or two vertical timbers to support the roof. (3) A
miner's safety helmet. |
|
CAP BLOCK |
A flat piece of wood inserted between the top of the prop and the roof to
provide bearing support. |
|
CAP LAMP |
A rechargeable, battery operated light worn on a miner's safety helmet. |
|
CAPE SIZE VESSEL |
Vessels capable of carrying 120 000 tonnes to 180 000 (+) tonnes when fully
loaded. |
|
CAPPEL |
Terminal connection on winding or hauling rope onto cage or vehicle. |
|
CAR |
A railway wagon, especially any of the wagons adapted to carrying coal, ore and
waste underground. |
|
CAR CABLE |
The trailing cable that supplies electricity to a shuttle car. |
|
CAR DUMP |
The mechanism for unloading a loaded car. |
|
CARBIDE BIT |
More correctly, cemented tungsten carbide. A cutting or drilling bit for rock or
coal, made by fusing an insert of moulded tungsten carbide to the cutting edge
of a steel bit shank. |
|
CARBON CONTENT |
The amount of carbon in coal. |
|
Carbonisation |
The process of converting coking coal into coke. |
|
CARBON SEQUESTRAION |
The capture and long term storage of CO2. |
|
CARRIER (ALSO CARRYING BAR) |
A main roof support carrying other supports across an intersection or under a
fall. |
|
CAST |
A directed throw, in open-cut mining, the overburden is cast from the virgin ore
or coal to the previously mined area. |
|
CATCH POINT |
De-railing device on trackwork for runaway prevention. |
|
CAVE |
A collapse of the mine workings. |
|
CAVIL |
Quarterly or half-yearly redistribution of working places in a mine made between
contract parties of miners to ensure that an equable distribution of "easy" and
"difficult" places is achieved. In carrying out a cavil the working places are
numbered and corresponding numbers (marbles) are placed in a box or small
barrel. In a second similar box or barrel, numbers corresponding to the
employees arranged in groups of two or more, are placed.
Representatives selected by the employees then take a number from each box or
barrel. The working place corresponding to the number allotted to the employees
designated by the other number. This drawing of numbers is repeated until all
employees are allotted working places. A week before the cavil is to take place
the management posts a notice calling for names of men who desire to participate
in the cavil and the name of the "mate" with whom they desire to work. |
|
CAVIL OUT |
Retrenchment in order of seniority. |
|
CD or CQD |
Customary despatch or Customary quick despatch. The basic meaning of this phrase
is that the charterer must load and/or discharge as quickly as possible
depending on the prevailing circumstances at the loading/discharging locations.
There is, however, no fixed criteria for how quick �customary despatch� should
be. |
|
CENTRE LEG |
Prop under centre of baulk or girder. |
|
CERTIFIED |
Describes a person who has passed an examination to do a required job. |
|
CFR or C&F |
Cost and freight. The word cost signifies the price of the goods as loaded and
to which is added the freight to get the goods to the estination. The term is
used with the name of the destination port, eg.CFR Hamburg. |
|
CHAIN CONVEYOR |
A conveyor on which the material is moved along -solid pans (troughs) by the
action of scraper crossbars attached to powered chains. |
|
CHAIN PILLAR |
The pillar of coal left to protect the gangway or entry and the parallel
airways. |
|
CHARGE ROOM |
Location in mine where locomotive batteries are recharged. |
|
Charterer |
A person or corporation who hires a vessel for the carriage of goods (either a
time charter or voyage charter, or leases the vessel for their own management
and control (a bareboat/demise charter). |
|
Charterparty |
The document that contains the details of the charter or contract. Standard-form
charterparties are common today for various types of contracts and different
trades.
|
|
CHECK CURTAIN |
Sheet of brattice cloth hung across an airway to control the passage of the air
current. |
|
CHECK INSPECTOR |
District or local official of the union appointed and paid by the underground
employees to look after their interests regarding safety. The duties are laid
down in the regulations governing mining operations. |
|
CHECK WEIGHMAN |
Person appointed by ballot by the underground employees to check the weight of
coal mined by contract miners. |
|
CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE |
Sausage shaped flexible container of two chemicals which, when mixed, form a
quick setting resin - used in roof and rock bolting. |
|
CHITTER |
Waste rock broken during mining and picked or washed out from the coal. |
|
CHOCK |
(1) A roof support unit for use in large openings which consists of wooden or
steel blocks stacked between the floor and the roof often filled with stone for
added stability (2) An hydraulic support used with the longwall system of
mining. |
|
CHOCK CONTROL UNIT |
Hydro-electric device to move supports. |
|
CHPP |
(Coal Handling and Preparation Plant) A plant used to upgrade the quality of
coal including crushing, sizing and drying - usually refers to the reduction of
ash forming mineral in coal. |
|
CHUCK ON |
Re-railer on skip haulage road. |
|
CHUCK OVER |
A weighted or spring loaded lever which activates a set of points to ensure they
remain set either "open" or "closed". |
|
CHUTE |
A structure designed to allow the transfer of bulk solids by force of gravity.
Often only the structure at the mouth of a pass or packet is called a chute. |
|
CIF |
Cost, insurance and freight. Basically the same as "C&F" but the seller must
also procure insurance against the risk of loss or damage during the voyage. The
seller contracts with the insurer, pays the insurance premium, and then includes
this in the price of the goods. |
|
CINDER COAL |
(Natural coke, cinder). Coal which has been significantly altered by heat
associated with natural igneous activity; usually local in character. |
|
CLAY VEIN |
A body of clay-like material that fills a void in a coal bed. |
|
CLEAN COAL |
The coal product that has undergone processing (wet or dry). |
|
CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGIES |
Technologies that are being developed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from coal-fired electricity generation to near-zero levels. |
|
CLEAT |
Parallel cleavage planes or partings crossing the bedding and along which the
coal breaks more easily than in any other direction. |
|
CLIPPER |
Person who attaches clips to a moving endless rope used for skip haulage. The
chain from the clip is attached to the skip, as the clip becomes fast on the
rope, the skip moves along. |
|
COAL BLOCK |
A section of insitu coal that may range in size, generally pillar to longwall
block. |
|
COAL BLENDING |
Coal that is mixed in predetermined and controlled quantities to give a uniform
feed or product. |
|
COAL CLEARANCE SYSTEM |
A system used to transfer coal from the working faces to the surface. |
|
COAL CUTTER |
Machine used to cut a horizontal or vertical slot about 150 mm wide in solid
coal, extending back into the coal for a distance of up to 3 m. This opening may
be at the floor or top of the seam, or in the case of a relatively thick seam
near the centre. A vertical cut or shear is sometimes made in addition to the
horizontal cut. The cut is made by a fast-moving chain carrying small steel
picks. It is placed to assist in the working of solid coal with explosives. |
|
COAL DUST |
Particles of coal that can pass a No. 20 sieve. |
|
COAL HANDLING AND PREPARATION PLANT |
A plant used to upgrade the quality of coal including crushing, sizing and
drying - usually refers to the reduction of ash forming mineral in coal. |
|
COAL MINE |
An area of land and all structures, facilities, machinery, tools, equipment,
shafts, slopes, tunnels, excavations and other property, real or personal,
placed upon, under or above the surface of such land by any person, used in, or
to be used in, or resulting from the work of extracting in such area bituminous
coal, lignite, or anthracite from its natural deposits in the earth by any means
or method and the work of preparing the coal so extracted and includes custom
coal preparation facilities. |
|
COAL PREPARATION |
(1) The work of cutting, boring, and blasting the coal at the face ready for the
loading machines. (2) Treatment by screening to give coal of various sizes to
meet a purchaser's requirements; also treatment by one or more processes to
reduce the amount of waste (ash) present in the coal. |
|
COAL RESERVE |
The economically mineable part of the coal resource, as defined in the JORC
Code. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses. |
|
COAL RESOURCE |
Coal in the ground with reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction,
as defined in the JORC Code. |
|
COAL SIZING PLANT |
Plant used to size, crush or screen coal to market specifications. |
|
COAL WASHERY |
A Coal Washery or Coal Preparation Plant is a plant which removes ash from the
coal to improve its quality as a commercial product. |
|
COBBLES |
Fist size lumps of coal. |
|
COCK HOLE |
Point to which horse limbers connect on skip. |
|
COKE |
The end product of the carbonisation of coal. Generated from coking coal after
being heated at high temperature in an atmosphere substantially devoid of
oxygen, passing through a transient plastic stage in which the coal successively
softens, swells and resolidifies into a coherent cellular coke ready for use in
the steel making process. |
|
COKE |
The end product of the carbonisation of coal. Generated from coking coal after
being heated at high temperature in an atmosphere substantially devoid of
oxygen, passing through a transient plastic stage in which the coal successively
softens, swells and resolidifies into a coherent cellular coke ready for use in
the steel making process. |
|
COKE OVEN |
An enclosed vessel in which coking coal is converted to coke for use in steel
making. The airtight compartments into which coking coal is charged and
subsequently heated to about 1000 degrees Celsius. |
|
COKING COAL |
Coal which are is suitable for coke making and used in the production of
metallurgical coke. |
|
COLD SET |
Heat-treated chisel. |
|
COLLAR |
The term applied to the timbering or concrete around the mouth or top of a
shaft. Also, see "Crossbar". |
|
COLLIERY |
English name for coal mine. |
|
COMPETENT |
A person that is capable of performing a given job but not certified. |
|
COMPONENT |
As applied to coal mining equipment, an integral part of a machine that may be
removed from the machine in its entirety |
|
CONSIDERATION |
Extra payment to contract miners to reimburse them for delays or additional work
arising from unusual circumstances. |
|
CONSUMER/td> |
A corporation which uses coal as a fuel or raw material, eg. A power utility, a
cement works, an industrial furnace operator, a steel mill. |
|
CONTANGO |
When a derivative instrument (future or swap) price is above the expected future
spot price. |
|
CONTINUOUS MINER |
The electric powered cutting machine used to remove coal from the face and load
it into the shuttle car. It comes in a variety of makes and sizes. Also - a
remote-controlled, tracked, electrically powered coal cutting and loading
machine used to form mine roadways and extract coal pillars. |
|
CONTOUR |
An imaginary line which connects all points on a surface having the same
elevation. |
|
CONVENTIONAL MINING |
A system which is older than continuous mining and uses the cyclical operations
of cutting, drilling, shooting and loading. |
|
CONVEYOR |
The means of transporting coal from the boot end to the underground bin or
surface. It consists of an endless belt being driven by a motor drum system over
a structure roller assembly. |
|
CORE |
The innermost portion; in this case, the cylindrical rock sample produced by the
cutting action of a diamond drill. |
|
COREX |
See "Corex Coal" below and Appendix 3. |
|
COREX COAL |
A number of steel makers are using non blast furnace processes for the
production of pig iron. One particular process being used by Pohang Steel in
Korea and Jindal Steel in India involves the direct reduction of a mixture of
coal and iron ore using the “Corex” process. The coal quality requirements for
Corex differ from coke oven blends. The process can utilise a range of coal
types, including thermal coals, provided the feed coal at the plant has a sizing
generally above 8mm (8x50mm) and good “char” forming characteristics. |
|
COUP (TO) (COPE) |
To remove a skip from the rails to permit another skip to pass, by turning it
over on its side away from the track. The term applied to approximately one
tonne capacity ships used in hand mining. |
|
COVER |
The overburden on any deposit. |
|
COWL |
Attachment on ranging arm to suppress dust and direct coal onto armoured face
conveyor. |
|
CPP |
(Coal Handling and Preparation Plant) A plant used to upgrade the quality of
coal including crushing, sizing and drying - usually refers to the reduction of
ash forming mineral in coal. |
|
CREEP |
(1) Upward movement of a relatively soft floor of a seam under pressure from
adjacent coal pillars - can be called floor heave. (2) Sometimes used for
widespread movement of the upper strata because pillars left for roof support
were insufficient size over a relative large area. |
|
CRIB |
Mealtime. |
|
CRIB BAG |
The modern equivalent of the crib can. |
|
CRIB CAN |
Lunch box. Usually fabricated from galvanised iron sheet and shaped to fit
comfortably against the hip (for pushbike riding miners). |
|
CRIB ROOM |
The crib room is the location which has been fitted out with tables and seats
for meal breaks. |
|
CRIBO (Slang) |
Payment for working through meal break or crib break. |
|
CROP |
An abbreviation of outcrop, the surface exposure of a coal seam. |
|
CROP COAL |
Coal at the outcrop of the seam. It is usually considered of inferior quality
due to partial oxidation, although this is not always the case. |
|
CROSS-BAR |
The horizontal member of a roof timber set supported by props located either on
roadways or at the face. |
|
CRUDE STEEL |
The molten end product after the processing of pig iron in steel making furnaces
to remove excess carbon. Steel making furnaces comprise basic oxygen furnaces,
electric arc (EAF) furnaces and open-hearth furnaces. |
|
CSN |
Crucible Swelling Number; the higher the number, the better the coking
properties. |
|
CUT AND FLIT |
A continuous miner system of mining used to develop a panel, typically 7
headings wide, that involves the continuous miner cutting out a designated
length of roadway and flitting to another working face in a predetermined
sequence within the panel. A roof bolting machine then moves into the place left
by the miner and installs roof support concurrently with coal production in
another roadway. |
|
CV |
Calorific Value basis (either GAD, NAR, or GAR). |
|
CYCLE |
A method of working in which mining operations take place in a specified
sequence.
|
|
CYCLE MINING |
A system of mining in more than one working place at a time, that is, a miner
takes a lift from the face and moves to another face while permanent roof
support is established in the previous face. |
|
DANGLERS |
Reflective signs hung from survey pins to indicate driveage direction. |
|
DARG |
Output of coal (in skips) arbitrarily fixed by contract miners as constituting
the day's output per man. It was usually the maximum number of skips that could
be made available to every miner each day. When the darg has been reached, the
miners cease production. |
|
DAYLIGHT |
Point in mine where light of day can first be seen by men emerging (see
Eyesight). |
|
Deadfreight |
freight payable on cargo space booked but not actually used. |
|
DEADWORK |
Essential work not directly connected with the mining or transporting of coal. |
|
DECLINE |
An inclined roadway or drift used to provide surface access to an underground
coal seam or underground access between seams or to different levels within the
one seam. |
|
DELAY DETONATOR |
A detonator incorporating an element which determines the time interval at which
detonation occurs. |
|
DEMURRAGE |
Refers specifically to the money payable to the owner for delay incurred for
which the owner is not responsible in loading and/or discharging after the
laytime allowed for in the charterparty has expired. The rate of demurrage is
usually agreed upon in advance in the charterparty. |
|
DEPUTY |
Supervisor in charge of a section or district of a mine, and all employees
working therein. The statutory duties, responsibility and authority of a deputy
are set down in the relevant mining regulations. |
|
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT |
A derivative instrument is a product whose performance is derived on the
behaviour of the price of the underlying asset. |
|
DESPATCH MONEY |
Payment/compensation, by way of a bonus, to the charterer for loading and/or
discharging a vessel in less time than is stipulated in the charterparty. The
compensation is to reimburse the charterers/ shippers or consignees for any
expenses they may have incurred in order to save time to the vessel. In other
words despatch money is the exact opposite of demurrage. Despatch is only
payable if allowed for in the charterparty. |
|
DETACHING HOOK |
Device that frees the cage from the haulage rope in the event of an overwind in
the shaft The cage remains suspended. |
|
DETECTORS |
Specialised chemical or electronic instruments used to detect mine gases. |
|
DETONATOR |
A device containing a small amount of very powerful explosive which is used to
initiate the explosion of the main charge when shotfiring. |
|
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES |
The process of establishing a mining panel (pillars or longwall block). |
|
DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL |
A formal planning approval, issued for proposed developments under the
environmental planning and Assessment Act 1979. |
|
DEVELOPMENT CONSENT |
A formal planning approval, issued for proposed developments under the
environmental planning and Assessment Act 1979. |
|
DHD (or D ½ D) |
Despatch half Demurrage. The amount of demurrage and despatch is a matter for
negotiation before the fixture. In cases where owners expect despatch will have
to be paid anyway, they will try to fix demurrage at the lowest possible figure
which will consequently keep the despatch rate down on the Despatch half
Demurrage terms. |
|
DIAMOND CUT |
Holes drilled at an angle to a face so that the bottom of the holes converge to
form a pyramid (pyramid cut). |
|
DIFFUSER FAN |
A fan mounted on a continuous miner to assist and direct air delivery from the
machine to the face. |
|
DIFFUSION |
Blending of a gas and air, resulting in an homogenous mixture. Blending of two
or more gases. |
|
DILLY ROPE |
Auxiliary haulage rope (tow rope). |
|
DINTING (RIPPING) (OR BOTTOM BRUSHING) |
Removing rock from the floor of a seam - floor brushing. |
|
DIP |
The grade of the coal seam. It is usually expressed as I in X in a certain
direction. |
|
DIRT |
Valueless rock (shale, sandstone) present within the coal seam or broken from
the bottom or top of the seam during coal mining.
|
|
DISPLACEMENT |
(1) A joint plane along which vertical or horizontal movement has occurred. (2)
The amount by which a seam is moved by a fault. |
|
DOG BONE (DUMBELL) |
Used to connect line pans together.
|
|
DOG-WATCH |
Night shift; from about 11.00 p.m. to about 7.00 am depending on individual
mines. |
|
DOLLY |
A length of prepared clay/sand stemming (in shotfiring). |
|
DOLLY (MIXER) |
The tool used in the chuck of the bolting machine to rotate the roof bolt to mix
the chemical to secure the roof bolt. |
|
DOLLY CAR |
Control car permanently attached to the drift haulage rope. |
|
DOLLY SPANNER |
The tool used in the chuck of the bolting machine to tighten the bolt after it
has been secured. |
|
DOLLY TIGHTENING |
See Dolly Spanner. |
|
DOOR |
Set across part or all of a roadway to prevent the passage of ventilating air
but allowing traffic to pass when required. |
|
DOUBLER |
Two shifts worked sequentially, one being an overtime shift. |
|
DOWNCAST |
Shaft or other mine opening down which fresh air from the surface passes. |
|
DOWNTHROW |
Amount of displacement, measured vertically, between the upper and lower
portions of a coal seam displaced by a downthrow fault. (See "fault"). |
|
DOWTY |
A hydraulic prop. |
|
DRAW SLATE |
A soft slate, shale, or rock from 5.08 cm to 60.96 cm thick and located
immediately above certain coal seams, which falls quite easily when the coal
support is withdrawn. |
|
DRI |
Direct reduction of iron ore to produce pig iron utilising coal instead of coke.
See " Corex ". |
|
DRIFT |
An inclined access from the surface to the coal seam or from coal seam to
another coal seam. It often contains a conveyor belt or man-riding train. |
|
DRIFTER |
A hand-held boring machine mounted on an air leg used to bore holes when driving
drifts or drives. |
|
DRILL BITS |
The drill tool which fits in the top of the drill steel and used in the cutting
action in the hole drilling operation. |
|
DRILL STEEL |
The length of drill rod which fits into the chuck of the bolting machine to
drill holes in the roof for the placement of roof bolts or in drilling holes
when driving drifts, sinking shafts or other stone work. |
|
DRIPPER |
Water dropping from the roof. |
|
DRIVE |
A heading, drift, advancing place or face. |
|
DRIVEHEAD |
The driving mechanism of motor, gearbox and drive drum which is responsible for
the movement of the conveyor belt. |
|
DRUM |
Cutting disc on shearer. |
|
DUES |
Fees paid regularly by all members of a union. |
|
DUFF |
Fine coal. |
|
DUMP |
Discharge point for loaded shuttle cars and other haulage devices. Also location
of supplies in a production section, e.g. timber dump. |
|
DUSTED |
(1) Term used to describe a diseased lung condition of a miner who has breathed
dust-laden air over a prolonged period which has resulted in dust particles
being lodged in the lungs. (2) Term used to describe treatment of workings with
powdered limestone to prevent the propagation of coal dust explosions. |
|
DWT |
Deadweight Tons. Deadweight cargo capacity is the weight (in tons or tonnes) of
the cargo required to sink the ship to her loadline after allowing for bunkers,
stores, etc. |
|
DYKE |
(1) Normally vertical intrusion of igneous rock cutting across the strata. Can
vary tremendously between 0.6 m to 20 m or more in the horizontal dimension. (2)
An intrusive body which has disrupted the coal seam by cutting vertically
through it. Usually it has a cindered band of coal each side of the rock. |
|
EARTH LEAKAGE |
Device to disconnect electric current in case of and earth fault reaching a
certain magnitude. |
|
EAF |
Electric arc furnace. |
|
EFFECTIVE CAPACITY |
The maximum production possible under normal working conditions. |
|
EGRESS |
A negotiable roadway (see "Second Means of Egress"). |
|
ENDLESS ROPE |
Rope haulage using a driven cee wheel to impart motion to the rope, with the
rope travelling inbye over one road to haul empty skips inbye, around a sheave
set below the road and over a second road to haul full skips outbye. A tension
device is used to keep the rope tight on the cee wheel. |
|
ENERGY COAL |
Coal used to provide heat for steam raising as part of the electricity
generation process. |
|
ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT |
A collective agreement under industrial relations legislation. |
|
ENTRY |
An underground passage used for haulage, ventilation, or as a man-way. |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT |
A detailed assessment of environmental matters relating to a major project as
defined under part 3A of the environmental planning and Assessment Act 1979. |
|
EVASEE |
The ducting on the exhaust side of a ventilation fan. |
|
EXPLODER |
A machine used for generating the current for firing shots by the electrical
method. |
|
EXPLOITATION |
This is the process of economic recovery or removal of the developed mineral
body. |
|
EXPLORATION |
The search for mineral deposits and the work done to prove or establish the
extent of a mineral deposit. |
|
EXPLORATION TENEMENT |
A licence granted under the Mining Act 1992 to allow exploration to be
undertaken with the objective of determining the occurrence and extent of a coal
resource and to assess the potential for mining. |
|
EXPLOSIVE |
Any rapidly combustive or expanding substance. The energy released during this
rapid combustion or expansion can be used to break rock. |
|
EXTRACTED ON RETREAT |
Coal that is recovered from coal pillars once the panel has been fully developed
to its designed boundary by retreating and extracting the previously formed
pillars. often in conjunction with the use of hydraulic supports (breaker line
supports or BlSs) to protect the immediate working area. |
|
EYESIGHT |
Location in mine where men walking pause to let their eyes become accustomed to
darkness.. |
|
F.I.O. |
Free in and out. This expression means it is the responsibility of the
charterers to load, or the consignees to discharge, the cargo for their
respective accounts, that is free of expense to the owners. |
|
F.O.B. |
Free on board. Stipulates that the seller is to deliver the goods on board the
vessel free of cost to the buyer at a port named in the sales contract. |
|
F.O.B.T. |
Free on board and trimmed. |
|
F.O.R. |
Free on rail. |
|
FACE |
The inbye end of the mine roadway, usually the working place for coal
extraction. |
|
FALCON |
A compressed air-powered percussive drill used to drill vertically up or steeply
inclined holes and to set roof bolts. |
|
FALL |
Collapse of roof material. |
|
FAN |
Part of elaborate ventilating system used to pass air through the mine workings.
The "main" fan is located on the surface but other fans may be located within
the workings. (See Auxiliary Fan and Booster Fan). |
|
FAN DRIFT |
A short inclined passageway cut out from the side of an upcast shaft leading to
the inlet of the mine fan. Used where the upcast shaft also contains winding
gear, i.e. second means of egress. |
|
FAS |
Free alongside. If a charterparty provides for delivery of cargo free alongside
it is the responsibility of the shipper to arrange for delivery of the cargo
within reach of cargo handling equipment at the port or on another vessel. |
|
FAULT |
Break in the continuity of a coal seam or rock strata. There are many types of
fault. |
|
FAULT AND DYKE STRUCTURES |
Discontinuities in the coal seam that may impact upon the mineability or quality
of the surrounding coal. |
|
FC |
Fixed Carbon calculated by difference, i.e. 100% minus the sum of moisture, ash,
and volatile matter. |
|
FEEDER |
(1) A piece of equipment which aids the flow of coal from one location (perhaps
a bin) to another (perhaps a conveyor belt); or (2) Breaker feeder which is a
stationary but mobile piece of mining equipment which breaks large lumps of coal
into smaller pieces and discharges coal onto a conveyor belt. |
|
FENDER |
The block of coal between a pillar split and the goaf. |
|
FILL |
Any material that is put back in place of the extracted ore to provide ground
support. |
|
FIO |
Free in and out. This expression means that it is the responsibility of the
charterer to load, or the consignee to discharge, the cargo for their respective
accounts, that is free of expense to the owners of the vessel. |
|
FIRE DEPOT |
A collection of fire-fighting equipment found at boot ends and at least every
400 m along conveyors, also at other critical points in the mine. They are
required by law in some countries. |
|
FIRE STATION |
The main colliery fire-fighting equipment kept close to pit top. |
|
FIRE STINK |
The smell detected in the return air from a self-heating; sometimes like garlic
when the heating is in the early stages but usually quite distinctive for a mine
which is liable to self- heatings. The fan attendant or engine driver is usually
appointed to enter the fan drift at regular intervals to detect the smell of a
heating in its early stages. |
|
FIRE SUB-STATION |
Fire-fighting equipment set up near the entrance to each underground fire zone. |
|
FIRE TEAM |
Each colliery has a chosen team of trained men for this purpose. |
|
FIREDAMP |
Any mixture of methane and air is firedamp. If mixed in the range 5 to 150
(methane in air) the mixture will explode and has been the source of many
explosions in coal mines. If above 15% the mixture will burn and hence the name
firedamp. At one time firedamp used to be removed by deliberately lighting it.
(See also Methane). |
|
FIRST WORKINGS |
Driving roadways in solid coal (before commencement or pillar extraction). |
|
FIRST-AID STATION |
Area set aside for medical and first-aid equipment. |
|
FISH PLATE |
Rail connecting plates used in trackwork. |
|
FISSURE |
An extensive crack, break or fracture in the rocks. |
|
FIXED CARBON |
That part of the carbon which remains behind when coal is heated in a closed
vessel until all of the volatile matter is driven off. |
|
FLAME SAFETY LAMP (FSL) |
A lamp used to check for oxygen deficiencies and presence of methane. NOTE:It is
not possible to determine what type of gases are present with a FSL. It is also
used to provide emergency lighting. Also known as a locked oil flame safety lamp
(LOFSL). |
|
FLAMEPROOF (ENCLOSURE) |
Steel box containing electrical equipment, designed to cool any spark or flame
occurring inside to a temperature below that required to ignite methane on the
outside. |
|
FLAMEPROOF (EQUIPMENT) |
Equipment within which an explosive mixture of gas can ignite without igniting
explosive gases surrounding the equipment. |
|
FLASH POINT |
The minimum temperature at which sufficient vapour is released by a liquid or
solid to form a flammable vapour-air mixture at atmospheric pressure. |
|
FLAT |
Marshalling or storage depot for full or empty skips. One flat may serve a
number of working places |
|
FLAT SHEET |
Steel sheet to: (1) Make for easier shovelling. (2) Slew skips on. |
|
FLAT-TOP |
Steel rail trolley for transport of rails - timber, bricks, etc. - loco hauled. |
|
FLIGHT |
The metal strap or crossbar attached to the drag chain and flight conveyor. |
|
FLIT (TO) |
(1) To drive a relatively immobile coal cutting/loading machine from one
workplace. (2) To drive mining equipment such as coal cutters, loaders,
continuous miners from one point to another. |
|
FLIT PLUG(S) |
(1) The plug on the end of a trailing cable. (2) An attachment for joining two
power cables together - also a back to back. |
|
FLITTING |
The movement of the miner and other face equipment from one working face to
another. |
|
FLOAT DUST |
Fine coal dust particles carried in suspension by air currents and eventually
deposited in return entries. Dust consisting of particles of coal that can pass
through a No. 200 sieve. |
|
FLOATER |
(1) Employee who fills the place of an absentee. Also termed a scout miner. (2)
Piece of waste rock in a seam or discontinuity in roof. (3) A relatively
insecure piece of roof material. Also kettle bottom, pot arse, slippery, greasy
back. |
|
FLOOR |
Any material that is put back in place of the extracted ore to provide ground
support. |
|
FLOOR HEAVE |
See "Creep". |
|
FLOTATION |
Wet process for the separation of coal from waste rock. The coal particles are
lifted or floated to the surface by air bubbles in a liquid medium. |
|
FLUIDITY |
The degree to which coal becomes plastic over certain temperature ranges during
the carbonisation process. The measurement of " maximum fluidity " is used by
some steel makers, particularly Japanese steel mills, in assessing the ability
of coal particles to mix with other coals in a coke oven blend. Maximum fluidity
is determined by placing a sample of finely ground coal in a crucible and
measuring the speed of rotation of a paddle placed within the crucible which is
heated. A gravitational force is applied to the paddle and the maximum rotation
of the paddle is measured in dial divisions per minute or DDPM. The temperature
at which the paddle reaches maximum rotation differs for varying coal types. |
|
FOB |
Free on board. Stipulates that the seller is to deliver the goods on board the
vessel free of cost to the buyer at the port named in the sales contract. |
|
FOBT |
Free on board and trimmed. The trimmed indicates that the cargo has been trimmed
within the hold for the sake of the ships stability and to make room for
additional cargo. |
|
FOOT SECTION (TAIL SECTION) |
A term used in both belt and chain conveyor work to designate that portion of
the conveyor at the extreme opposite end from the delivery point. In either type
of conveyor it consists of a frame and either a sprocket or a drum on which the
chain or belt travels, plus such other devices as may be required for adjusting
belt or chain tension. |
|
FOR |
Free on rail. |
|
FRACTURE |
An old miners' term for explosives. |
|
FROG |
Centre point section of a rail turnout also called a crossing. |
|
FUMES |
Gases, both non-toxic and poisonous, resulting from-the detonation of
explosives. |
|
FUTURES CONTRACT |
A contract that obligates the holder of the contract to buy or sell an
underlying asset at a predetermined delivery price during a specified future
time period. |
|
GANTRY |
Elevated structure on surface - usually carries main conveyor from tunnel portal
to top of a bin. Also type of workshop crane. |
|
GAD |
Gross air dried |
|
GAR |
Gross as received |
|
GAS |
This term is used synonymously with firedamp. |
|
GAS DRAINAGE |
The system used to extract gas from the coal and remove it from the mine. |
|
GAS RANGE |
A pipe marked with a yellow band carrying seam gas out of the mine. |
|
GATE |
Roadway leading to a working place in longwall mining. |
|
GATE END BOX(LOAD CENTRE) |
An electrical control centre used in a panel to (OR DCB) control and distribute
power to the face machinery (usually flameproof). |
|
GATE ROADS |
Access roadways connecting the longwall working face with the Main Roadways. |
|
GATHERING CONVEYOR |
Any conveyor which is used to gather coal from other conveyors and deliver it
either into mine cars or onto another conveyor. The term is frequently used with
belt conveyors placed in entries where a number of room conveyors deliver coal
onto the belt. |
|
Geological Classification |
Rank is a term which signifies the degree of coalification that the sediments
which constitute the coal have undergone. Rank increases from lignite to
semi-bituminous to bituminous to semi-anthracite to anthracite. In the database
coal reserves have been classified by rank. |
|
GEORDY PUMP |
Baling device. |
|
GEORDY TURN |
Square bar used as rails. |
|
GIN |
(In historical terms). Appliance used for hoisting broken material up a shaft in
prospecting work. It comprises a large cylindrical drum around which the haulage
rope is wound The drum is frequently rotated by a horse. |
|
GIRDER |
Heavy steel horizontal roof. support. |
|
GKCT |
Gray King Coke Type; the higher the number, the better the coking properties. |
|
GLOBALCOAL |
“GlobalCOAL” trading system for Newcastle coal. An online marketplace formed to
facilitate physical or derivative coal trading and the provision of coal related
services and information. |
|
GOAF-SIDE |
That side of a coal pillar near the goaf. |
|
GOAF (VOIDS) |
The space left following extraction of the coal seam where the roof material is
allowed to collapse. |
|
GOB |
Same as goaf. |
|
GOB STINK |
Smell from a goaf area - stale air, rotting timber, etc. - usually with smell of
burning. |
|
GREASY BACK |
A parting which cuts across both bedding and cleat, the surfaces of which appear
to be polished. A source of instability in roof, rib and face as slabs of
material part from the polished surfaces without warning. |
|
GRUB (TO) |
To dint or rip floor material. |
|
GRUNCHING |
Blasting the coal out of the solid seam without previous undercutting. |
|
GUARD BOARDS |
Boards placed alongside and extending below trolley and other power wires not
more than 1.98 m above the rail at crossings where men and animals must pass
under to protect them from contact with the power wires. |
|
GUARD RAIL |
An additional rail placed beside the track rail in service to compel the flange
of the wheels to run close to the latter in crossing over frog points or
entering switches. |
|
GUIDES |
Vertical timbers, rails, or wire rope in the shaft to guide the cage in its
passage up and down. |
|
GUNITE |
A cement applied by spraying to the roof and sides of a mine passage. |
|
HALF-ROUND |
See "Baulk". |
|
HALF-ROUND CROWN |
Same as for "Crown" only split into two. |
|
HARD COKING COAL |
Coals which make hard coke when carbonised in the coke oven. |
|
HEAD |
The pressure in metres of water column. Also, that part of the face nearest the
roof. |
|
HEADFRAME/HEADSHEAVES |
Structure erected at the surface above the shaft to permit the rope of the
winding engine to pass down and up the shaft. At the top of the headframe is the
head pulley or pulleys. (Sheaves). |
|
HEADING |
(1) Roadways forming the openings in the direction of development of the panel.
Heading direction parallel to cleavage direction. (2) A roadway driven in the
solid. (3) A roadway driven in the direction of advance of a district, e.g. main
headings, 2 s.w. heading, etc. |
|
HEATING |
Self heating - outbreak of spontaneous combustion underground (or in surface
stockpile). |
|
HEAVING |
Applied to the rising of the bottom after removal of the coal. |
|
HEWER |
A coal miner. This term is more particularly applied when the hand method of
mining is used. |
|
HGI |
Hardgrove Grindability Index - ease of pulverisation (eg 30 is very hard, 70 is
soft). |
|
HIGH |
TENSION CABLE Higher voltage supply cable taking power from the surface to the
underground transformers.
|
|
HOGSBACK |
A sharp rise in the floor of a seam. |
|
HOIST |
The mechanism for reeling in the hoist rope; the hoisting prime mover; called
winder in England. |
|
HOLEING |
Undercutting - breaking through. |
|
HOLEING |
BAND Soft band suitable for undercutting. |
|
HOPPIT |
Large bucket used as a container for rock broken during shaft sinking. |
|
HORN |
Steel pin to retain load on trollies or flat tops. |
|
HORSEBACK |
A mass of material with a slippery surface in the roof, shaped like a horse's
back. |
|
HOT METAL |
See pig iron. |
|
HUTCH |
Alternative for "skip". |
|
HV |
High volatile matter coal, > 31% on a dry mineral matter free basis.
|
|
HYDRANTS |
The water outlet found at the boot end and at least every 100 m along the
conveyor water lines. They are the connection points for fire-fighting hoses. |
|
HYDRAULIC STOWAGE |
Filling of worked out sections of a coal seam by pumping in a slurry of water
and fine sand or rock. The water drains away and the residue sets hard thus
supporting the overlying rock and preventing collapse of the superincumbent
strata |
|
IISI |
International Iron and Steel Institute. |
|
IM |
Inherent Moisture. |
|
IN SITU |
Total reserves of coal in seam. Term used by geologists for coal that exists but
is not necessarily mineable. |
|
INBYE |
The direction along a roadway towards the face thus going away from the surface
entry. |
|
INERTISATION |
Injection of inert gas (nitrogen etc.) into a mine to extinguish a fire. |
|
IN-SEAM GAS DRAINAGE SYSTEM |
A method of reducing the insitu gas content of the seam to within acceptable
limits by drilling holes into the seam or surrounding strata ahead of mining. |
|
INSERT |
The immediate entry into each coal seam. |
|
INSET (1) |
Opening leading from a shaft (or drift) into a coal seam. (2) A pocket in the
side of a shaft (or drift) cut out for a special purpose, e.g. pump station,
dam, etc. |
|
INSPECTOR |
Person appointed by the Government (Department of Mines) under the mining
regulations. His duties include the making of examinations of the mine to
ascertain whether the regulations relating to the operations are being observed. |
|
INSTANTANEOUS DETONATOR |
A detonator designed to have no more than a nominal delay between initiation and
explosion of the detonating charge. |
|
INTAKE |
Any passage taking fresh air into the workings. |
|
INTEGRATED STEEL MAKING |
The steel making process from the production of pig iron in a blast furnace
through to the making of steel in a furnace. It is normally assumed that coke
production will form part of the integrated process. |
|
INTERSECTION |
The meeting of two roadways. |
|
ISOLATOR |
Electrical switch to cut off power.
|
|
JACK |
A manually or hydraulically set mechanical support or lifting appliance. |
|
JACK-LEG |
A percussion drill used for drifting or stoping that is mounted on a telescopic
leg which has an extension of about 2.4 m. The leg and machine are hinged so
that the drill need not be in the same direction as the leg. |
|
JACK-ROLL |
A hand-operated appliance used for raising and lowering material in a shaft.
Also termed windlass. |
|
JFY |
Japanese fiscal year commencing 1 April. |
|
JIG |
A self-acting incline, by which full skips descending the slope, pull up empty
skips. Also, a device used for removing stone from coal. |
|
JIM CROW (CROW) |
Rail bending tool.
|
|
JOCKEY POINTS |
Temporary rail points laid on top of rails without breaking into them. |
|
JOGGLE (TO) |
Japanese Steel mills. |
|
JORC CODE |
2004 Australasian Code for Reporting Identified Mineral Resources and ore
Reserves. Australian mining exploration and production companies are bound to
produce Resource and Reserves Statements using the JoRC Code in accordance with
the listing Rules of the Australian Stock exchange. |
|
JSM |
To shape the end. of a prop and/or bar or baulk to make a secure fit. |
|
JUMP KEEPERS |
Restraining stops in cage axle retainer on skips. |
|
JUMP UP/DOWN |
Slang - geological fault.
|
|
KEPS |
(1) Supports used to take the weight of the cage at the surface when loading or
unloading is taking place. Also referred to as chairs. (2) Re-railing keps are
guides along an endless ropeway to return automatically a de-railed skip to the
track. |
|
KERF |
Cut made by the mechanical coal cutter. |
|
KG/MTHM(also kg/thm) |
Kilograms per metric tonne of hot metal. |
|
KIBBLE |
Usually refers to a self-tipping sinking bucket designed so that the suspension
bridle pivots below the centre of gravity of the full bucket which empties
automatically when a catch engaging the bridle is released. Also referred to as
hoppit. |
|
KIP |
Raised section of a haulage way' built to give skips greater elevation and
thereby a downhill run. |
|
KNEE HOLES |
The next row of holes above the lifters in a round of shots. |
|
LACK-OF-TRADE |
Term used to describe the stoppage of work because of lack of orders for coal. |
|
L.D |
The LD Process refers to the Linz-Donawitz operations of utilizing top blown
pressurized oxygen to the top surface of the molten metal bath in the blast
furnace. |
|
LAGGING |
Steel or timber placed between or behind roadway supports, set so they provide
support of the roof from one bar to another. |
|
Laycan |
Laydays & Canceling Date. The earliest and latest dates on which the vessel must
be ready to load at the port or be delivered to the time charterer. |
|
Laydays |
This term may sometimes be used to refer to laytime, calculated in a number of
days. It is preferable to use the term laydays to refer to the earliest time
when the charterer expects the vessel to be ready for loading and/or
discharging. |
|
Laytime |
Refers to the period of time agreed between the parties in the charterparty,
during which the owner will make and keep the ship available for
loading/discharging without payment additional to the freight. |
|
LEVY |
Amount of money, in addition to the ordinary dues, paid by members to the union
funds for a special purpose. |
|
LID |
A small flat block of wood used as packing between the top of a prop and the
roof. |
|
LIFT |
A slice of coal taken off the end of a fender or pillar during pillar
extraction. |
|
LIFTERS |
The bottom row of holes in a round of shots designed to bring the floor of the
excavation to the desired level. |
|
LIGNITE |
A brownish-black coal composed of vegetable matter which has been altered more
than in peat, but less than in sub- bituminous coal. |
|
LINE-CUT |
A systematic placement of shotholes some of which are charged and fired leaving
the remainder to provide loose ends. A method of smooth blasting. |
|
LOA |
Length overall (shipping term). |
|
LOAD CENTRE |
An electrical distribution centre from which face machines are individually
supplied. |
|
LOADING DENSITY |
The weight of explosives per unit length of a shothole. |
|
LOAF |
The area abandoned and left to collapse after the extraction of coal. |
|
LOCK-OUT |
Closure of the mine by the management thus preventing employees from working. |
|
LODGE |
Sub-division of the union formed at a mine. The officers of the lodge, elected
by ballot, comprise a chairman, secretary, treasurer and check inspector. |
|
LONGWALL |
A system of working coal in which the seam is extracted on a broad front or long
face. |
|
LONGWALL CHANGEOVER |
The process of relocating longwall equipment from one panel to another, often
coincides with major planned maintenance. |
|
LONGWALL CONTINUITY |
Critical to economic well-being of a longwall operation. Longwall continuity is
achieved when the expected time-lag between the completion of one panel and the
start of the next relates purely to the time taken to transfer equipment, i.e.
no additional time is required to shape-up the next longwall block to its
designed dimensions because of insufficient development. |
|
LONGWALL MINING |
A system of mining that involves the extraction of large blocks of coal, with
the coal being mined on retreat in slices up to 1.0 metre thick from the
longwall face.
Key longwall mining equipment includes:
• a Shearer, used to cut and load the coal from the face;
• a steel chained armoured face conveyor, used to transfer the coal across the
face;
• self advancing, high capacity, hydraulic longwall supports, used to support
the immediate face area as the coal is mined;
• a beam stage loader, used to transfer the coal from the face to the longwall
panel conveyor;
• a crusher, used to size the coal; and
• the pantechnicon that incorporates the longwall services, including power
supply. |
|
LONGWALL PANEL/BLOCK |
A large contiguous block of coal, typically 100-300 metres wide and 1-3.5
kilometres long, suitable for longwall extraction. |
|
LOOP TAKE-UP |
Device at drivehead to adjust belt tension. |
|
LOW STRIP-RATIO |
An overburden to coal ratio, measured in bank cubic metres to insitu tonnes. the
lower the ratio generally means a lower cost of extraction. |
|
LOW SULPHUR AND ASH CONTENT COAL |
Coal that is generally less than 0.4% total sulphur and 18% ash. |
|
LOOSE END |
Also free face. A part of the seam or rock which is relatively unconfined to
which a shot (or miner) can do its work more easily. |
|
LUBE BAY |
Building used for servicing equipment. |
|
LUMPBREAKER |
Attachment on shearer to break large lumps of coal. |
|
LV |
Low volatile coal, < 22% on a dry mineral matter free basis. |
|
MACHINE |
Once a hand drill then coal cutter, now continuous miner. |
|
MACHINE MAN |
Pay classification - worker who drives any underground machine. |
|
MACERALS |
Microscopically recognisable individual organic constituents of coal. They are
recognised on the basis of their reflectance and morphology (eg Vitrinite,
Exinite and Inertinite). |
|
MAGAZINE |
Building used to store explosives. |
|
MAIN AND TAIL |
Type of rope haulage where one rope on a reversible double drum haulage is
attached to one end of a set of skips and the other rope to the other end of the
set. The tail rope hauls the empty skips into the inbye flat and the main rope
hauls the loaded set out. |
|
MAIN AND TAILGATE DRIVES |
High capacity motors, situated at either end of the longwall face, used to power
the armoured face conveyor that removes the cut coal from the coal face to the
main drift conveyor. |
|
MAIN ENTRY |
A main road. |
|
MAIN FAN |
A mechanical ventilator installed at the surface; operates by either exhausting
or blowing to induce airflow, through mine roadways and workings. |
|
MAIN ROADWAYS |
Roadways that are used as the means of primary access/egress, to supply
materials, provide ventilation and enable coal to be conveyed to the surface. |
|
MAINS FIRING |
Firing shots using the electrical mains voltage. |
|
MAN TRANSPORT |
Vehicle or train to transport men to their work places. |
|
MANAGER |
Every colliery is in the charge of a professional mining engineer holding a 1st
class certificate of competency and / or appointed by the owner; he is in charge
of all operations. |
|
MAN-CAR |
Vehicle used for personnel transport underground. |
|
MAN-HOLE |
Refuge place alongside rail track in drifts etc. |
|
MANIFOLD SYSTEM |
Auxiliary ventilating system by which all faces are ventilated simultaneously
with one auxiliary fan installation. |
|
MAN-SHIFT |
One man working one shift comprises a man shift. Output of coal in tonnes per
man-shift is accepted as a measure of the efficiency of operations. |
|
MARKETABLE RESERVE |
Similar to coal reserve, a term used to describe the amount of coal that can
physically be mined from a reserve at an acceptable cost, as defined in the JORC
Code. |
|
MATCH HEAD |
The fuse head of an electric detonator. |
|
MEASURING STICK |
A device for measuring the required length of a prop. |
|
MECHANISATION |
Mining of coal by power-operated equipment instead of the older hand methods. |
|
METALLURGICAL COAL |
Coals, which are consumed in the production of pig iron, either via the coke
oven process, direct injection (PCI) or by direct reduction. |
|
METHANE (CH 4) |
A gaseous compound of carbon and hydrogen naturally emitted from coal that can
be explosive when mixed with air or oxygen between certain limits. Lighter than
air, it comes out of the coal or surrounding strata. |
|
METHANE MONITOR |
An electronic instrument often mounted on a piece of mining equipment, that
detects and measures the content of mine air. |
|
MICKEY BLOCK |
(slang) The off cut of timber left when a prop has been cut to size.
|
|
MILLING |
(slang) The process of crushing coal to micron size to allow it to be
pneumatically fired into a boiler or blast furnace. |
|
MINE PLAN |
A two-dimensional representation of the proposed or existing mine workings,
usually prepared as part of an economic assessment of the coal reserve (through
the JORC process). |
|
MINE ROOF |
The layer of hardened clay, limestone, sandstone, or other material that lies
over the coalbed; rock or other material above the coal seam. |
|
MINE RUN |
The unscreened coal, just as it is mined, less dirt and slate. |
|
MINER CABLE |
The electrical cable running from the gate end box to the miner for the mining
machine's power supply. |
|
MINING LEASE |
Title granted under the Mining Act 1992 that provides rights to mine a coal
resource. |
|
MINING METHOD |
Coal mining operations can be either open cut or underground. There are then
specific mining methods which describe the techniques used in more detail. |
|
MISFIRE |
(1) The failure of a blasting charge to explode when expected. (2) A charge
which has failed to explode. |
|
MOLOO |
More or less in owners option. This term relates to the quantity of cargo which
the vessel is chartered to carry on a voyage charter. It gives the shipowner the
opportunity to increase the nominated quantity. |
|
MONKEY |
Skip stop in cage. |
|
MRE INSTRUMENT |
The gravimetric dust sampler with four-channel horizontal elutriator developed
by the Mining Research Establishment of the National Coal Board, London,
England. |
|
MT |
Million tonnes. |
|
MTPA |
Million tonnes per annum. |
|
MUD CAP |
A charge of high explosive fires in contact with the surface of a rock after
being covered with a quantity of wet mud, wet earth or sand, without any
borehole being used. Also termed adobe, dobie and sandblast (illegal in coal
mining). |
|
MULTIPLE SHOTFIRING |
Firing a number of shots in a single round incorporating delay detonators. |
|
MV |
Medium Volatile coal, >22% and < 31% on dry mineral matter free basis |
|
NAABSA |
Not always afloat but safely aground. This term is an extension of the �always
afloat� concept. In some ports where the bottom consists of soft mud, it may be
agreed by the parties that the vessel may lie safely aground at low tide, �Not
always afloat but safely aground�. |
|
NAR |
Net as received |
|
NATIONALISATION |
Ownership and operation of coal mines by the government instead of by private
enterprise |
|
NIPS |
The devices at the end of the trailing cable of a mining machine used for
connecting the trailing cable to the trolley wire and ground. |
|
NITROGEN INERTISATION |
The process of introducing inert gases into the vicinity of a heating or
unstable atmosphere in order to lower the percentage of oxygen in the
atmosphere. |
|
NON-PERMITTED EXPLOSIVES |
Explosives not on the "permitted list" for use in coal mines. |
|
NOR |
Notice of Readiness notice given a ship that it is ready to load or discharge
its cargo. |
|
NTHM |
Net tons (short tons) of hot metal. 1 metric tonne = 1.10231 short tons |
|
O.M.S. |
Output per man-shift. |
|
OIL BOTTLE |
The bulb type container in the air line to lubricate compressed air driven
machinery. |
|
ONSETTER |
Person in charge of loading of skips into the cage at the pit bottom or shaft
inset. |
|
OPENCAST |
See "Open-cut". |
|
OPEN-CUT |
Open excavation made when extracting coal from the surface. |
|
OPEN-CUT MINING |
A type of mining where the overburden is removed to expose coal seams and allow
their extraction by surface means. |
|
OPEN-END PILLAR |
A method of mining pillars in which no stump is left; the pockets driven are
open on the gob side and the roof is supported by timber. |
|
OPTION |
The right but not the obligation to buy or sell an underlying asset. |
|
OUTBURST |
A violent displacement of broken coal at the face caused by excessive gas or
earth pressure, often associated with areas of weakness in the coal. |
|
OUTBYE |
(1) The direction along a roadway away from the face. (2) Locations between the
face and surface. |
|
OUTCROP |
That portion of a coal seam visible (wholly or in part) at the surface. (Also
concealed outcrop) |
|
OVERBURDEN |
The material of any nature, consolidated or unconsolidated, that overlies a
deposit; Top soil/strata overlying the coal seam. |
|
OVERCAST |
An airway built over the top, and at an angle to, another airway. This is
necessary to separate intake and return airways in certain locations. |
|
OVERPASS |
A point where a conveyor passes over a transport ad or vice versa. |
|
OVERWIND |
When the cage, skip or dolly car in hoisting is not brought to rest at the
appropriate place. |
|
PACKER |
Large piece of coal or topper placed on top of a skip full of coal to permit
more coal to be loaded. |
|
P |
Phosphorus. To be avoided in coking coal because it accumulates in hot metal
giving undesirable properties in resultant steel. |
|
PACKING PIECE |
Lid, wedge, caps, etc. |
|
PANAMAX VESSEL |
Vessels capable of carrying between 50 000 tonnes and 80 000 tonnes when fully
loaded. |
|
PAN |
Section of armoured face conveyor. |
|
PANEL (1) |
A mine is broken up into a number of panels which are working places for each
mining crew. (2) In mines liable to spontaneous combustion, panels are formed
with a minimum number of roadways connecting them to the rest of the mine, to
permit easy sealing in case of a fire. |
|
PANIC BAR |
A switch in the shape of a bar, used to cut off power at the machine in case of
an emergency. |
|
PARTIAL EXTRACTION |
A continuous miner system of mining whereby some of the coal pillars in a panel,
or parts thereof, are systematically extracted. the total recovery factor (coal
extracted as a percentage of coal insitu) is generally in the range of 40-60%. |
|
PASS-BYE |
Siding on a roadway. |
|
PCI COAL |
Coals, which are suitable for direct injection into the blast furnace in a
pulverised state. PCI replaces oil and displaces some quantity of coke.
Traditionally, The PCI coal price is closely linked to thermal coal which will
allow the blast furnace operator to reduce the overall cost of raw material by
reducing the volume of coke needed to produce each tonne of hot metal. |
|
PEAT |
A dark brown or black deposit resulting from the partial decomposition of
vegetal matter in marshes and swamps. It is the first step in the formation of
coal. |
|
PEDESTALS |
Bearings on mine skips. |
|
PENNY BAND |
Thin dirt band (local name). |
|
Per hatch per day |
This expression may be used to calculate laytime with reference to the number of
cargo hatches serving cargo compartments on the vessel. The number of hatches
and their category will influence the rate at which cargo can be handled and
therefore the rate of calculating laytime allowed for the cargo operations. |
|
Per Workable hatch per day |
This expression is more in the favour of the charterer than the preceding
expression. The word workable qualifies the hatches that can be used in the
calculations to those that can be worked because there is/or will be cargo below
them. |
|
PERMIT MANAGER |
Manager of a small mine with 3rd class certificate. |
|
PERMITTED EXPLOSIVE |
Type of explosive approved under the mining regulations for use in coal
mines/seams because its ignition temperature is below that required to ignite
methane or coal dust. |
|
PHOSPHORUS |
To be avoided in coking coal because it accumulates in hot metal giving
undesirable properties in resultant steel. |
|
PICK OR HAND PICK |
Cutting tip on continuous miner or other cutting machinery. |
|
PICKING BELT |
Slow moving conveyor on which coal from underground is dumped and from which
waste is picked off by the men. The coal on reaching the end of the conveyor
drops into a storage bin or wagon for despatch to market. |
|
PIGGY BACK |
A bridge conveyor. |
|
PIGS FOOT |
Tool used to extract dog spikes. |
|
PIG IRON (also called hot metal) |
The product of the reduction of iron ore in the blast furnace in the direct
reduction furnace (Corex). |
|
PILLAR |
A block of coal left to hold up the roof and formed by driving a connected
series of headings/bords and cut-throughs. |
|
PILLAR EXTRACTION PANEL |
A continuous miner system of mining whereby coal pillars are systematically
extracted. the total recovery factor (coal extracted as a percentage of coal
insitu) generally exceeds 60%. |
|
PILLAR QUARTERING |
A secondary system of mining, involving the formation of smaller sized pillars
to improve overall coal recovery. |
|
PINCH |
A compression of the walls of a vein or the roof and floor of a coal seam so as
to pinch out the coal. |
|
PINNING |
Roof bolting. |
|
PIT |
(1) Shaft giving access to the coal seam. (2) Also used to describe the whole
coal mine. |
|
PIT BOTTOM |
Seam level in a mine shaft; An area where the mine drift used to access the coal
seam intersects with mine workings. |
|
PITCH |
The inclination of a seam; the rise of a seam. |
|
PLACE |
Section of panel where coal is being produced. |
|
PLACE CHANGE |
A continuous miner system of mining used to develop a panel, typically 7
headings wide, that involves the continuous miner cutting out a designated
length of roadway and flitting to another working face in a predetermined
sequence within the panel. A roof bolting machine then moves into the place left
by the miner and installs roof support concurrently with coal production in
another roadway. |
|
PLASTIC RANGE |
Gieseler Plastometer reading. |
|
PNEUMOCONIOSIS |
A chronic disease of the lung arising from breathing coal dust. |
|
POGO STICKS |
Device for extending brattice (not a roof support). |
|
POINTS |
A switching mechanism to change direction at a railway junction. |
|
POINTY PROPS |
(ALSO A prop with a taper. cut on the end which goes to YIELD PROPS) the floor.
The reduced area of prop crushes under pressure without breaking the prop. |
|
POP (POP SHOOTING) |
Breaking of large rocks by firing a charge within holes drilled into them. |
|
Port - Discharge |
A port where coal is unloaded from ships. |
|
Port Load |
A port where coal is loaded onto ships. |
|
Port Load & Discharge |
A port where coal can be either loaded or discharged. |
|
PORTAL |
Entrance to tunnel |
|
POT ARSE |
Lumps of coal or carbonaceous shale which are liable to fall from the roof
without warning. They remain undetected ( unsupported) for some time after the
coal is extracted and when fallen, have the appearance the name implies.
|
|
POWER PACK |
Hydraulic pumps and oil reservoir required to operate hydraulic chocks,
positioned outbye in main gate or in an outbye pump. |
|
PREPARATION PLANT |
A place where coal is cleaned, sized and prepared for market. |
|
PRIMARY ROOF |
The main roof above the immediate top. Thickness may vary from a few to several
thousand metres. |
|
PRIMER |
The cartridge or part of an explosive charge which carries a detonator. |
|
Producer |
A company which operates coal mines. |
|
PRODUCT DILUTION |
Non-coal or poorer quality roof or floor coal that is mined and included in the
coal product.
|
|
PROP |
A timber roof support set tightly between the roof and the floor. |
|
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT |
Equipment used by the underground employees to reduce the number or severity of
accidents. The term embraces helmet, shin guards, hard-toed boots, goggles,
gloves and the like. |
|
PROTO |
(1) A self-contained breathing apparatus equipped with an oxygen cylinder. Using
this apparatus a person can work in foul air which would not support life. Term
originates from original brand name. (2) Rescue training. |
|
PROXIMATE ANALYSIS |
(1)The analysis of coal or coke in terms of moisture, ash, volatile matter and
(by difference) fixed carbon. |
|
PUT OPTION |
The right but not the obligation to sell an underlying asset. |
|
PYRAMID CUT |
See "Diamond Cut" |
|
PYRITE |
A hard, heavy, shiny, yellow. mineral, FeS2 or iron disulphide; generally in
cubic crystals. Also called iron pyrites, fool's gold, sulphur balls. May be
applied also to copper pyrites, tin pyrites, etc., but iron pyrite is the most
common sulphied found in coal mines. |
|
RAKE |
(1) Number of skips/trollies connected together for transport at the one time as
a unit. Also referred to as a "set". (2) Device used for cleaning cuttings out
of a kerf cut by a cutting machine. |
|
RAMP UP/DOWN |
An adjustment to the mining rate to account for panel start-up or completion. |
|
RAT HOLE (slang) |
Small mine where coal was worked without regard to any designed layout. |
|
RECOVERABLE RESERVE |
Similar to coal reserve, a term used to describe the amount of coal that can
physically be mined from a reserve at an acceptable cost, as defined in the JORC
Code. |
|
RED DOG |
A non-volatile combustion product of the oxidation of coal or coal refuse. Most
commonly applied to material resulting from in situ, uncontrolled burning of
coal or coal refuse piles. It is similar to coal ash. |
|
REFLECTANCE |
Obtained by the microscopic examination of macerals. Fine coal (not pulverised)
is set into a small block of epoxy-type material and one face is polished. Oil
immersion of macerals at this polished face allows the measurement of
reflectance using incident light. |
|
REGULATOR |
An adjustable opening used to control the quantity of air passing in a
ventilation split. |
|
RELIGHTER |
Type of oil flame safety lamp. |
|
RESCUE STATION |
Building set apart for the training of men, the breathing apparatus and other
equipment required when a mine is to be entered after an accident, such as an
explosion or fire.
|
|
RESCUE SUPERINTENDENT |
In charge of mines rescue within a district. |
|
RESCUE TEAM |
Men trained to use self-contained breathing apparatus. |
|
RESIN BOLTING |
A method of permanent roof support, in which steel rods are gouted with resin. |
|
RESPIRABLE DUST |
Dust particles 5 microns or less in size. |
|
RETICULATION CABLE |
Fixed cable for supplying electric power (not a trailing cable). |
|
RETREAT |
Exploitation in the direction opposite from development. Usually relative to the
location of the main entry or shaft. |
|
RETURN (AIRWAY) |
Opening along which air returns from the working face(s). |
|
RETURN AIR |
Air or ventilation that has passed through the workings and may contain gas or
dust. |
|
RETURN WHEEL |
Reverses direction of haulage rope. |
|
RETURNS |
Roadways used for the- movement of return air from the face back to the main
fan. |
|
RIB |
The name given to the coal walls of the roadway. These are the sides of the
pillars. |
|
RIDER |
A thin seam of coal overlying a thicker one. Also, a person who rides with the
trains of cars; e.g rope rider, trip rider, swamper, etc. |
|
RIPPER |
A coal (or other soft ore) extraction machine that works by tearing the coal
from the face. |
|
RISING MAIN |
Pipes in shaft or drift delivering drainage water to surface. |
|
ROB |
To extract pillars of coal previously left for support. |
|
ROCK DUST |
Limestone dust sprayed over roof, rib and face, and throughout the mine to
render exposed coal dust inert. |
|
ROLL |
(1) Rounded ridge of stone in the floor or roof of a seam. Rolls are common in
the Southern Coalfields of New South Wales. (2) A sudden change in level of the
roof or floor (or both) when working a seam. |
|
ROM |
Raw coal as mined that has not undergone any screening, crushing or
beneficiation. |
|
ROUND |
(1) A series of shots connected and fired at the one time. (2) The selected
pattern of holes drilled for multiple shotfiring. |
|
RUBBING SURFACE |
The total area (top, bottom and sides) of an airway. |
|
RUN OF MINE |
Raw coal as mined that has not undergone any screening, crushing or
beneficiation. |
|
S |
Sulphur. Forms sulphur dioxide during coal combustion. |
|
SAFETY LAMP |
Lamp that can be used with safety in a gassy mine. The original oil safety lamp
has now been replaced for illumination, by the electric lamp operated by a
storage battery. Used for detection of gases and oxygen deficiency in the mine. |
|
SAFETY SWITCH |
A sectionalizing that also provides shunt protection in blasting circuits
between the blasting switch and the shot area. |
|
SB or SA |
Safe berth or safe anchorage. This term describes the specific place the
charterer may send the vessel for loading/discharging. A safe berth is one which
a vessel can reach, remain at, and depart from, without being exposed to danger
which cannot be avoided by good navigation and seamanship. |
|
SCOOP |
A rubber tyre, battery or diesel-operated piece of - equipment designed for
cleaning runways and hauling supplies. |
|
SCRAPER |
(1) A metal rod with a fan shaped projection at one end used for cleaning
shotholes. (2) A device for cleaning the surface of a belt conveyor. (3) A hand
tool for cleaning in awkward places. (4) A machine (or its bucket) used for
loading loose material or leveling roadways. |
|
SEAL |
(1) Permanent or semi-permanent closure of a roadway - usually a brick wall. (2)
The concrete blocks used to build a seal. |
|
SEAM |
Layer or bed (of coal). |
|
SECOND MEANS OF EGRESS |
The alternative negotiable roadways from the working area of the mine which can
be used in an emergency. |
|
SECONDARY ROOF |
The roof strata immediately above the coalbed, requiring support during the
excavating of coal. |
|
SECTION |
Working area (as in panel headings). |
|
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING |
A self-contained supply of oxygen used during |
|
SELF-HEATING |
Occurs when coal (in a pillar, fall, goaf area or stockpile) oxidises and
produces heat at a greater rate than can be dissipated by the strata or air
current so that the temperature rises until eventually active fire results. |
|
SELF-RESCUER |
Worn by miners and used in the event of a suspected explosion. Used to remove
lethal quantities of carbon monoxide from the breathed air. |
|
SEMI-SOFT COAL |
A type of coking coal that can be blended with a hard coking coal to produce an
acceptable hard coke. |
|
SENIORITY RULE |
Promotion of employees from job to job according to length of service on a
particular mine. Also used in retrenchment of workers �first in last off�. |
|
SET |
(1) Number of skips connected together for transport at the one time as a unit
or train. Also referred to as a "rake". (2) Complete unit of a roof support
system. |
|
SET-RIDER |
Person in charge of the "set" (of skips). Also, in "dolly car driver". |
|
SHAFT |
An opening, usually vertical, connecting the surface with the underground
workings. |
|
SHAFT MINE |
A mine which has shafts for entries. |
|
SHATTER CUT |
See "Burn Cut". |
|
SHEAR |
(1) Vertical cut, about 17 cm wide, made in the coalface by the cutting machine.
(2) In longwall operations it refers to the cut of coal taken along the complete
longwall face (approx. 0.85,m thick). (3) Continuous miner cutting from roof to
floor or floor to roof. |
|
SHEARER |
A mining machine for longwall faces that uses a rotating action to "shear" the
material from the face as it progresses along the face. |
|
SHEX and SHINC |
These terms are used in the charterparty referring to how laytime is calculated
and accounted for. SHEX means �Sundays and Holidays excepted�. SHINC means
�Sundays and Holidays included� in the laytime allowed to the charterer. |
|
Shipper |
A company, or individual, which sells coal. It is usually a producer or a
trader. |
|
SHOE |
Metal skid placed under wheel of rail mounted skip to assist braking. |
|
SHORTWALL |
Method of mining using larger than normal pillars, but not as large as a
longwall. |
|
SHOTFIRER |
Person whose duty it is to place the explosive in a hole drilled in the face of
the coal and then fire the explosive. |
|
SHUNT |
Siding or pass bye. |
|
SHUNTER |
Person who assists the locomotive driver when required. |
|
SHUNTING |
Parking in secondary roadways allowing other traffic to pass. |
|
SHUTTLE CAR |
An electrically driven machine used to transfer the coal from the continuous
miner to the start of a conveyor belt. |
|
SHUTTLE CAR |
ANCHOR Device to secure a trailing cable to a prop or other- attachment. |
|
SIDE STEP |
The process of moving longwall equipment a relatively short distance within the
same panel to avoid mining through a specific section of the panel, e.g. to
avoid mining through a major geological feature or mining beneath a sensitive
surface feature. |
|
SIDING OVER |
Removing the coal from a pillar in a narrow strip along the width of the pillar. |
|
SIDLER |
Employee who horse wheels skips from a face flat to the main flat, or clipping
station. |
|
SIMULTANEOUS SHOTFIRING |
When a round of shots is fired using instantaneous detonators only. |
|
SINTER |
An agglomeration of iron ore and coke breeze (coke fines) and/or anthracite for
charging into the blast furnace. |
|
SKID |
A track-mounted vehicle used to hold trips or cars from running out of control.
Also it is a flat-bottom personnel or equipment carrier used in low coal. |
|
SKIP |
A truck. A wheeled rectangular container or box, made of wood or sheet steel
into which the coal is loaded for transport purposes. Capacity varies from about
.5 tonnes in narrow seams, to more than 10 tonnes in fully mechanised mines. The
skips may be taken to the surface in the cage, and after "dumping" at the
"brace" return empty in the cage. The term is also used to describe a large
steel container, which is attached to the winding rope and is used for the bulk
haulage of coal in a shaft, thus eliminating the necessity of transporting the
skips up and down the shaft. |
|
SKIRTING |
Metal or rubber like material strips set along a conveyor belt at loading points
to prevent spillage. |
|
SKIRTY |
A pillar that is being skirted. |
|
SLAB |
(1) A bar of half round bush timber - roof support. (2) A sawn slab of timber
used for a variety of purposes in a mine. |
|
SLAB |
(1) A bar of half round bush timber � roof support. (2) A sawn slab of timber
used for a variety of purposes in a mine. |
|
SLACK |
Small or fine coal. |
|
SLANT |
Roadway driven at a slight angle to the main roadway. |
|
SLEEPER |
Sawn timber used to support rails. |
|
SLOUGHING |
The slow crumbling and falling away of material in roof, rib and face. |
|
SLUSH |
To fill mine workings with sand, culm etc by hydraulic methods. |
|
SMOKO |
Ten minute tea break. |
|
SMOOTH BLASTING |
Method of drill hole placement when an excavation is to be made to close
tolerances when shotfiring. |
|
SMP |
(Subsidence Management Plan). Detailed environmental assessment and monitoring,
requiring early mine planning to determine the impact of proposed mining prior
to receiving consent to mine a particular area. |
|
SOCKET |
See �Butt�. |
|
SOFT COKING COAL |
Coals, which make soft (or weak) coke when coked alone in a coke oven. |
|
SOLLAR |
(1) Platform provided in a ladder-way. (2) Steel sheet or flat timber boards put
down before coal is broken to permit easier shovelling by hand.
|
|
SP |
Safe port. The term is self explanatory. In both time charters and voyage
charters the charterer must order the vessel to a �safe port�, or the charterer
becomes liable for any damage caused to the shipowner. |
|
SPECIFIC ENERGY(CALORIFIC VALUE) |
The energy in kilocalories released per kg of coal burned. |
|
SPLICE |
To join - conveyor belt, haulage rope.
|
|
SPLINT |
(1) A roadway driven through a pillar in order to create a fender for lift
extraction. (2) Part of a mine which is separately ventilated. |
|
SPRAG |
(1) A piece of timber placed between a prop and the rib to prevent the rib
falling. (2) Wooden or steel spike placed in skip wheel spokes to prevent the
axle from turning and control rate of descent down grades. |
|
STAB HOLE |
A short hole drilled into the centre of a cut and fired with or before the cut
to shatter the rock near the collars of the cut hole. |
|
STEAMING COAL |
Coal used to provide heat for steam raising as part of the electricity
generation process. |
|
STEEL |
A drill rod. |
|
STEMMING |
Sand, clay or mixtures of both and sometimes water, used to confine the
explosive charge in a shothole. |
|
STEP AROUND |
The process of moving longwall equipment a relatively short distance within the
same panel to avoid mining through a specific section of the panel, e.g. to
avoid mining through a major geological feature or mining beneath a sensitive
surface feature. |
|
STICKY TOPS |
When the top coal does not part from the roof readily (also see "Brat"). |
|
STONE DUST |
Crushed limestone (calcium carbonate) added to coal dust to reduce its potential
to explode. |
|
STONE DUSTING |
Operation of spraying finely ground limestone or other non- combustible and
non-siliceous dust onto coal. The limestone particles mix with the coal dust and
reduce the possibility of a coal dust explosion. |
|
STOOK |
Small blocks of coal left during pillar extraction. |
|
STOPER |
A drilling machine for boring vertically upwards (or sub- vertically) holes for
shotfiring or roof bolting. |
|
STOPPING |
A structure (temporary or permanent) built across a roadway to direct the air
flow. |
|
STOPPINGS |
Ventilation structures used to segregate air within underground workings. |
|
STRAP ROPE (BOUND ROPE) |
Wire rope conveying power down shaft. |
|
STRIKE |
Cessation of operations because of the refusal of employees to work. |
|
STRIKE (OF SEAM) |
Direction of intersection of seam with a horizontal surface. Direction at 90
degrees to the dip of the seam. |
|
STRIPPERS |
Shotholes placed in such a manner as to enlarge an existing excavation. |
|
STRIPPING |
(1) Removing coal. (2) Also used to describe the removal of overburden. |
|
STUMP |
Union dues payable to an official on pay-day. Originally payment was made on a
tree stump table. |
|
SUBSIDENCE |
In mining, the deformation of the ground mass surrounding a mine due to the
mining activity. |
|
SUBSIDENCE MANAGEMENT PLAN |
Detailed environmental assessment and monitoring, requiring early mine planning
to determine the impact of proposed mining prior to receiving consent to mine a
particular area. |
|
SUB-STATION |
Electricity supply point for a district. |
|
SULPHUR |
Forms sulphur dioxide during coal combustion. |
|
SUMP |
Water reservoir (usually in seam). |
|
SUMP IN |
To propel a coal cutting machine or continuous miner into the coal when starting
a new cut. |
|
SUPERINTENDENT |
Mine superintendent with manager's qualifications in charge of a group of
collieries of any one company (legal definition). |
|
SUPER PANEL |
A continuous miner system of mining used to develop a panel, typically 7
headings wide, that involves the concurrent use of two continuous bolter miners
in the same panel to increase productivity. |
|
SUPER PLACE CHANGE |
A continuous miner system of mining used to develop a panel, typically 7
headings wide, that involves the concurrent use of two continuous miners and a
mobile bolter in the same panel to increase productivity. |
|
SURGING |
Using two shuttle cars to complete the delivery of coal from face to loading
point by transferring coal from one car to another. |
|
SWAD |
Salt water arrival draft This term is a description of a vessel�s draft in salt
water when it arrives at a port where the water density is that of salt water. |
|
SWAP |
An agreement to exchange cash flows in the future according to an agreed
formula. |
|
SWEEP |
Curve in rail track. |
|
SWILLY (ALSO SWALLY) |
A depression in a roadway which usually fills with water. |
|
SWING-SHIFT (a) |
A system in which workers rotate working shifts for different periods of time.
(b) Refers to a shift placed between afternoon and dogwatch shifts. |
|
SYLVESTER |
Manual pulling device. |
|
SYMPATHETIC DETONATION |
When the explosive charge in a hole is detonated by the shock of a charge
exploding in an adjacent hole detonated earlier in the series of a round of
shots. |
|
SYNCLINE |
A trough-like fold in rocks. |
|
TAILPIECE |
Also known as foot section pulley. The pulley or roller in the tail or foot
section of a belt conveyor around which the belt runs. |
|
TAKE-UP |
Belt tension. |
|
TAMPING |
The act of consolidation or packing explosives or stemming in a shothole. |
|
TAMPING ROD |
A wooden rod used for tamping shotholes. |
|
THERMAL COAL |
which are normally used for the generation of heat for steam raising and other
general industry applications. These coals generally do not exhibit any coking
properties and therefore would not make coke in a conventional coke oven.
However, thermal coals can be used as PCI coals provided they have levels of
ash, moisture, volatile matter and sulphur which make them suitable for the
production of blast furnace pig iron. |
|
THROUGH-STEEL |
A system of dust collection for rock or roof drilling. The drill steel is hollow
and a vacuum is applied at the base, pulling the dust through the steel and into
a receptacle on the machine. |
|
THROW-ON |
(a)Short rails placed alongside the rails of a skip haulage track to deflect
back on to the rails any skips that have left the track. (b) A lever mechanism
used to change the points. |
|
Time Charterparty |
Is an agreement/ charterparty that allows for the hire of a vessel for a stated
period of time. Time charter durations can vary from a single voyage on time
charter terms, to long periods of five to ten years. |
|
TIPPLER |
Rotating frame used for automatically discharging coal from skips. |
|
TOMMY DODD TURN |
Rollers put in a curve on a rope road to conduct skips around the turn. |
|
TOPPER |
Large lump of coal. |
|
TOP SIZE |
Maximum size of saleable coal. |
|
TORQUE WRENCH |
A wrench that indicates, as on a dial, the amount of torque exerted in
tightening a bolt. |
|
TORQUEMETER |
A device for measuring the actual torque transmitted to the drilling head and/or
to the inserted roofbolt. |
|
TM |
Total Moisture. |
|
TRACK |
Railway line underground or surface. |
|
TRACKLESS MINING |
Use of mechanical equipment mounted on caterpillar tracks or rubber tyres and
therefore not dependent on the laying of rail track. |
|
Trader |
A company or individual which trades in coal, usually taking positions as a
principal. |
|
TRADEABLE CARBON CREDITS |
Derivative instruments that can be traded between scheme participants that allow
the authorised holder to emit a specified amount of greenhouse gas, typically
expressed as units of one tonne of CO2. |
|
TRAILING CABLE |
Heavily insulated electric cable used to bring power to an electrically operated
machine, such as a shuttle car or continuous miner. The cable trails along the
ground from a plug-in power load centre or receptacle, to the machine. |
|
TRAM |
See "Flit". |
|
TRAM TUNNEL |
An opening, horizontal or inclined, at a moderate le, giving access to a mine.
Also termed adit. |
|
TRAMMING |
(1) Pushing by hand the full or empty skips. (2) Moving mobile machinery under
its own power. |
|
TRANSFER POINT |
Flow of coal from one belt conveyor to another. |
|
TRANSFORMER |
Electrical unit to convert voltage. |
|
TRANSPORT |
See man transport. |
|
Transportation Leg |
The Transportation Leg defines the journey of coal from the mine by various
means to a plant which could be a barge loader, a port, a rail loader or local
power station or other plant as defined in the database. |
|
TRAPPER |
Person whose duty it is to open and close a ventilating door or doors on a
roadway. |
|
TRIBUTE |
(Hist. only).A contract arranged between the manager and a group of miners for
the extraction of coal at a defined location. Payment is usually based on the
quantity of coal won. |
|
TRIMMERS |
The outside row of holes in a round of shots, placed so as to form the desired
shape of the excavation. |
|
Trimming |
When certain bulk commodities are carried as cargoes on board vessels they have
to be �trimmed� for safety and to maintain the ship�s stability, or to make
additional room for more cargo. Trimming costs money for labour and the
charterparty can specify who will pay trimming costs, ie FOBT. |
|
TROUGHING IDLERS |
The idlers, located on the upper framework of a belt conveyor, which support the
loaded belt. They are so mounted that the loaded belt forms a trough in the
direction of travel, which reduces spillage and increases the carrying capacity
of a belt for a given width. |
|
TRUSS BOLT |
Roof support (bolt) which is put into the roof at an angle. The anchoring
section of bolt is in solid roof above a pillar. (see �Roof Truss�).
|
|
TT |
Turn Time. �Turn� refers to the sequence in which the port authorities may allow
a ship to berth for loading/discharging. Turn time is usually expressed in the
coal trade as 24 or 12 hours. TT meaning the laytime dose not commence until
expiration of the said hours, but usually accompanied by �USC� (unless sooner
commenced). |
|
TUB |
Skip.
|
|
TUMBLER |
Tippler. |
|
TUNGSTEN |
See "Pick." |
|
TURN |
Set of points in rail track. |
|
ULTIMATE ANALYSIS |
The analysis of a coal expressed in terms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur
and oxygen. High nitrogen and sulphur contents can create high levels of NOx and
SOx which are serious pollutants. |
|
UNDERCAST |
An air course carried under another air course or roadway. |
|
UNDERCUT |
(1) To cut below or undermine the coal face by chipping away the coal by mining
machine. (2) As for (1) above but part of the mining cycle when using explosives
to remove the coal. Creates an open area for the coal to expand to when the
explosives are detonated. |
|
UNDERGROUND |
A type of mining where the coal seam is accessed by shaft or drift into
underground workings. |
|
UNDERGROUND BIN |
A large space similar in shape to a surface product bin but excavated in the
strata above or below the coal seam. |
|
UNDERMANAGER |
A position holding responsibilities defined by the Coal Mines Regulation Act. An
undermanager is usually the person in charge of underground mining operations on
a shift and is next in authority under a manager or deputy manager. Requiring a
2nd class certificate of competency. |
|
UNDULATION |
Variation in the level of the floor of a coal seam (like waves). |
|
UPCAST |
Shaft or other mine opening through which air returns to the surface after
ventilating the mine workings. |
|
UPTHROW (FAULT) |
When the seam is displaced upwards. |
|
VENTURI |
A specially shaped orifice employed in devices where the energy released by the
expansion of high pressure air, steam or water can be used to do useful work
(air movement, pumping, dusting, etc.). |
|
Voyage Charterparty |
Is an agreement/charterparty for the hire of a vessel for the carriage of
specific goods, between certain ports. Voyage charters are common for bulk
cargoes, and in the tramping service. |
|
VM (Volatile Matter) |
The percentage of coal which is lost as volatile matter (gases) when coal is
incinerated under standard conditions. |
|
W STRAP (ALSO SKELP) |
A ribbed steel plate used as a cross roof support from the material from and
held in position by roof bolts. which they were originally manufactured) |
|
WANT |
An area within the horizon of a coal seam and devoid of coal due to
non-deposition. |
|
WASHOUT |
That portion of a coal seam which subsequent to deposition has been eroded and
is now an area of deficiency. |
|
WASTE |
(1) Shredded fabric used as rag type cleaner. (2) Worked out and abandoned part
of a mine.
|
|
WATER MONEY |
An additional specified amount of money paid to a person called upon to work in
a wet place. |
|
WEDGE |
(1) A wedge shaped piece of timber to tighten props into place. (2) Steel wedge
for anchoring slot and wedge roof bolts. |
|
WELL |
Same meaning as "Sump". |
|
WELSH BORD |
Method of working. |
|
WELSH SET |
Method of timbering involving angled struts. |
|
WET AND DRY BULB AIR TEMPERATURE |
Wet temperature of the air is obtained by using a thermometer around the bulb of
which is wrapped a piece of open-weave cotton cloth, dipping into a small
reservoir of water. The dry bulb temperature is obtained by a similar
thermometer without the wetted cotton cloth. To determine humidity. |
|
WHITEDAMP |
Carbon monoxide gas mixed with air. |
|
WIDOWMAKER (slang) |
Large hanging (or fallen) lump of stone or coal. |
|
WINDBLAST |
Air blast caused by roof fall displacing air. |
|
WINDLASS |
Simple hoisting device comprising a horizontal cylindrical barrel, on which the
haulage rope is wound. The barrel is supported about 1 metre above the ground
and is turned manually by handles at each end. |
|
WINDROW |
The berm of material on the edge of dumps for trucks to back to when dumping
overburden. Also, material on each side of haul roads used when grading. |