Mining Terminology

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Date:

Instructions: Dig deep into the specialized language of miners and the mining industry with this challenging quiz.

1.
What is an 'adit' in mining?
A
An inspection of mining equipment
B
A type of mining drill
C
A mining permit
D
A horizontal passage leading into a mine
2.
What does 'ore' refer to?
A
Rock or earth containing metal or minerals that can be profitably extracted
B
A mining shaft
C
The refuse from mining operations
D
A type of mining tool
3.
What is a 'shaft' in mining?
A
A beam of light in a mine
B
A vertical or inclined excavation providing access to underground workings
C
The handle of a pickaxe
D
A mining company's stock
4.
What does 'tailings' refer to?
A
The waste materials left over after extracting valuable minerals from ore
B
Tracking ore deposits
C
Following a mine vein
D
The end of a mining tunnel
5.
What is 'smelting'?
A
The process of extracting metal from ore by heating and melting
B
Testing ore samples
C
Mixing different ores together
D
A bad smell in a mine
6.
What is a 'lode' in mining?
A
A type of explosive
B
A heavy load of ore
C
A vein of metal ore deposited between layers of rock
D
The floor of a mine
7.
What does 'placer mining' involve?
A
Extracting minerals from deposits of sand or gravel, often using water
B
Placing explosives in rock
C
Positioning mine shafts
D
Placing markers for future mines
8.
What is a 'drift' in mining?
A
A horizontal tunnel that follows along the vein of ore
B
A change in the mine's ownership
C
Loose sand in a mine
D
The movement of underground water
9.
What does 'assay' mean in mining?
A
To write an essay about mining
B
To assess the safety of a mine
C
To survey the land above a mine
D
To test and analyze ore samples to determine the content and quality of metals
10.
What is 'overburden'?
A
Working too many hours in a mine
B
Excess water in a mine
C
An overweight load on a mine cart
D
The rock, soil, and other material lying above a mineral deposit that must be removed
11.
What is a 'stope' in mining?
A
A stop for mine carts
B
An underground excavation from which ore has been or is being extracted
C
A slope in a mine tunnel
D
A step in the mining process
12.
What does 'gangue' refer to?
A
The commercially worthless rock and material surrounding or mixed with valuable ore
B
A group of miners
C
A type of mining gang
D
A geological fault line
13.
What is 'beneficiation'?
A
The process of improving the concentration of ore by removing unwanted material
B
Benefits given to miners
C
A charity for retired miners
D
A type of mining tax break
14.
What is a 'canary in a coal mine' used for?
A
Entertainment for miners
B
An early warning system to detect dangerous gases like carbon monoxide
C
Guiding miners in the dark
D
Keeping insects away
15.
What does 'reclamation' mean in mining?
A
Reclaiming stolen ore
B
Filing an insurance claim
C
Recovering lost mining equipment
D
The process of restoring mined land to a natural or economically usable state

Answer Key

Question 1

D. A horizontal passage leading into a mine

Question 2

A. Rock or earth containing metal or minerals that can be profitably extracted

Question 3

B. A vertical or inclined excavation providing access to underground workings

Question 4

A. The waste materials left over after extracting valuable minerals from ore

Question 5

A. The process of extracting metal from ore by heating and melting

Question 6

C. A vein of metal ore deposited between layers of rock

Question 7

A. Extracting minerals from deposits of sand or gravel, often using water

Question 8

A. A horizontal tunnel that follows along the vein of ore

Question 9

D. To test and analyze ore samples to determine the content and quality of metals

Question 10

D. The rock, soil, and other material lying above a mineral deposit that must be removed

Question 11

B. An underground excavation from which ore has been or is being extracted

Question 12

A. The commercially worthless rock and material surrounding or mixed with valuable ore

Question 13

A. The process of improving the concentration of ore by removing unwanted material

Question 14

B. An early warning system to detect dangerous gases like carbon monoxide

Question 15

D. The process of restoring mined land to a natural or economically usable state

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