Stoping is a mining technique used to extract ore from underground mines. The IPA phonetic transcription for the spelling of stoping is /ˈstəʊpɪŋ/. The word is pronounced with two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable "stoh". The "e" at the end of the word is silent, and the "i" is pronounced as a short "ih" sound. The sound "p" is followed by the vowel sound "ih". The correct spelling of the word is important to accurately convey what type of mining is being done.
Stoping is a mining technique that involves the extraction of ore or minerals from an underground deposit. It is a process of breaking down and removing the valuable materials from the surrounding rock or vein in order to extract the desired minerals. This technique is commonly used in the mining industry for obtaining valuable resources like metals, gemstones, or coal.
The process of stoping begins with the creation of underground openings, known as stopes, through the removal of rock that surrounds the deposit. These stopes can be created through various methods such as drilling, blasting, or mechanical excavation. Once the stopes are established, the ore or minerals can be accessed and extracted using mining equipment and machinery.
Stoping techniques can vary depending on the specific geological characteristics of the deposit and the desired minerals to be extracted. The methods employed can include cut and fill, shrinkage, or block caving. Cut and fill stoping involves the removal of ore in horizontal slices, followed by the backfilling of the excavated area. Shrinkage stoping utilizes the natural gravity movement of broken ore towards the bottom of the stope. Block caving involves the removal of large blocks or chunks of rock, allowing the ore to collapse and be collected.
Overall, stoping is an essential process in mining operations, enabling the exploitation of underground mineral deposits. It involves the creation of stopes and subsequent extraction of valuable materials, contributing to the supply of various resources essential for numerous industries.
The word "stoping" comes from the Middle English word "stoppen", which means to insert or block. It can be traced back to the Old English word "stoppian", from the Proto-Germanic root "*stuppōną", which means to stop or block. This root is also related to the Old High German word "stophōn" and the Middle Dutch word "stoppen". Over time, the meaning of "stoping" evolved to refer specifically to the method of extracting ore or minerals by breaking them off and leaving empty spaces or stopes in a mine.