a. Gravel containing sufficient heavy mineral to make it profitable to
work. Nelson
b. In placer mining, a rich strip or lead of auriferous gravel.
See also:pay ore
S. Afr. Grade below which the mining of ore is considered to become
unpayable. There has been much discussion about mining below the pay limit
for technical reasons, as a result of taxation, or to conserve natural
resources. Beerman
a. In any winding or haulage system, the pay load is the weight of coal,
ore, or mineral handled as distinct from dirt, stone, or gangue.
Nelson
b. The mineral raised up the shaft from an underground mine.
Sinclair, 5
The mineral to be recovered. Austin
Rock that, at current cost of discovery, development, and exploitation,
can be mined, concentrated and/or smelted profitably at the ruling market
value of products. Ore below this value or cut (the threshhold value) is
unpay. Syn:pay rock
pay gravel. Pryor, 3
To slacken or to let out rope.
See:pay ore
A portion of a deposit composed of pay ore; generally a dipping band
within a more continuous vein. See also:pay streak
a. The area of economic concentration of gold in a placer deposit.
Bateman, 2
b. The part of a vein or area of a placer deposit that carries the
profitable or pay ore. See also:pay dirt; pay shoot. CF:pay ore
See:erythrite
In anthracite only, coal small enough to pass through a mesh 3/4 to 1/2 in
(1.9 to 1.3 cm) square, but too large to pass through a 3/8-in (9.5-mm)
mesh. When buckwheat coal is made, the size marketed as pea is sometimes
larger than the above; known also as No. 6 coal.
See also:anthracite coal sizes
Iridescent coal, the iridescence of which is due to a thin film of some
substance deposited on the surface of the coal along minute cracks.
Arkell
Informal name for an iridescent copper mineral having a lustrous,
tarnished surface exhibiting variegated colors, such as chalcopyrite and
esp. bornite. Also called peacock copper. See also:bornite
Clean gravel, the particles of which are similar in size to that of peas.
AGI
The term pea grit has been used for a coarse pisolitic limestone. Such
usage should be discontinued; it is erroneous. The term grit should be
reserved for a coarse-grained sandstone composed of angular particles.
Rice, 1
A variety of pisolitic limonite or "bean ore" occurring in small, rounded
grains or masses. Syn:pea ore
Maximum permitted power draft from an electric supply main.
Pryor, 3
The maximum number of tons of a specified material to be carried by a
conveyor per minute in a specified period of time. NEMA, 2
The maximum rate of change of ground displacement with time.
Flat stope advanced (overhand if deposit is inclined) in slanted steps,
each flat forming a separate working place. Pryor, 3
a. Eng. Rounded grains of hydrated peroxide of iron, or silicate of iron,
commonly found in cavities of Jurassic limestone. See also:bean ore
b. A variety of pisolitic limonite or bean ore occurring in small, rounded
grains or masses. Syn:pea iron ore