Product of surface tension (dynes per centimeter) and surface area
(centimeters), expressed in ergs. Work required to increase surface area
by unit area. Pryor, 3
See:fineness factor
a. Geology and correlation of rock formations, structures, and other
features as seen at the Earth's surface. CF:subsurface geology
AGI
b. See:surficial geology
A mining practice that represents an alternative to conventional ore
beneficiation in that the mineral values are hydrometallurgically
extracted rather than concentrated in solid form for further processing.
See also:solution mining
A term used in the freezing method of shaft sinking. The surface around
the shaft tends to heave owing to the formation of ice and the variation
of temperatures. This uplift is sufficient to throw surface structures,
such as winding towers, out of alignment. To enable corrections to be
made, the tower bases may be mounted on grillages with facilities for
jacking to keep the towers level. Nelson
The boundary lines of a mining claim as indicated by the locator.
Losses of air occurring in the restricted area around the tub and caused
by the increased velocity along the walls of the airway, and from the
friction and turbulent effects due to the surfaces of the tub. For an
empty tub, a portion of the turbulent effect is due to eddying and shock
within the tub. Roberts, 1
a. The mining in surface excavations. It includes placer mining, mining in
open glory-hole or milling pits, mining and removing ore from opencuts by
hand or with mechanical excavating and transportation equipment, and the
removal of capping or overburden to uncover the ores.
b. Mining at or near the surface. This type of mining is generally done
where the overburden can be removed without too much expense.
Kentucky
c. The obtaining of coal from the outcroppings or by the removal of
overburden from a seam of coal, as opposed to underground mining; or any
mining at or near the surface. Also called strip mining; placer mining,
opencast; opencut mining; open-pit mining. BCI; Standard, 2
A map of the surface layout of a mine. BS, 7
The restoration of the surface after opencast mining operations have been
completed. The work may involve leveling the hill-and-dale formation,
drainage, and relaying of the original topsoil, also known as resoiling.
Nelson
A drill rig designed specif. and used only for surface drilling
operations. See also:surface drilling
a. The ownership of the surface of land only where mineral rights are
reserved. Weed, 2
b. The right of a mineral owner or an oil and gas lessee to use so much of
the surface of land as may be reasonably necessary for the conduct of
operations under the lease. Williams
c. Those reserved to the owner of the land beneath which ore is being
mined. Pryor, 3
A bit containing a single layer of diamonds set so that the diamonds
protrude on the surface of the crown. Also called single-layer bit.
CF:multilayer bit
The inclination of the water surface expressed as change of elevation per
unit of slope length; the sine of the angle that the water surface makes
with the horizontal. The tangent of that angle is ordinarily used; no
appreciable error resulting except for the steeper slopes.
Seelye, 1
See:peripheral speed
A large diameter drivepipe sunk through the uppermost part of the
overburden. CF:conductor; standpipe. Long
a. In the flotation process, the contractile force at the surface of a
liquid whereby resistance is offered to rupture. b. Interfacial tension between two phases, one of which is a gas.
ASM, 1
c. A condition that exists at the free surface of a body (such as a
liquid) by reason of intermolecular forces unsymmetrically disposed about
the individual surface molecules and is manifested by properties
resembling those of an elastic skin under tension. Specif., the force per
unit length of any straight line on the surface that the surface layers on
opposite sides of the line exert upon each other.
See also:surface activity
The aggregate of the surface features of sedimentary particles,
independent of size, shape, or roundness; e.g., polish, frosting, or
striations. AGI
See:erosion thrust
Water that rests on the surface of the lithosphere. AGI
Any pipe laid in the ground for carrying away surface water.
See also:separate system