Mining Terminology - G

Engaged in natural resources exploration and mining, Rachana Global team is dedicated to provide services for mining and exploration of various minerals like coal, iron ore, tantalum, gold, titanium and fluorite. The following terminology states some of the common phrases starting with G that are frequently used during mining activities.

Gabbro –A dark, coarse-grained igneous rock.

Gallery - A horizontal or a nearly horizontal underground passage which is either natural or artificial is called gallery.

Gasification –Process by which coal is turned into low, medium, or high Btu gases is called gasification.

Gangue - The worthless minerals in an ore deposit.

Gathering conveyor - A conveyor which is used to gather coal from other conveyors and deliver it either into mine cars or onto another conveyor. This term is frequently used with belt conveyors placed in entries where a number of room conveyors deliver coal onto the belt.

Geotechnical engineering - The branch of engineering that specializes in assessing the stability and strength of soil and rock materials, as well as groundwater conditions. With regard to mining, geotechnical engineering principles are used to determine the appropriate design of mine features such as pit walls, tunnels, and earthen embankments.

Glory hole - An open pit from which ore is extracted is glory hole. It is pit where broken ore is passed to underground workings before being hoisted.

Gob - Also called goaf, gob is a part of the mine from which the coal has been removed and the space more or less is filled up with waste.

Gossan - The rust-colored capping or staining of a mineral deposit, generally formed by the oxidation or alteration of iron sulphides.

Gouge - Fine, putty-like material composed of ground-up rock found along a fault.

Grab sample - A sample from a rock outcrop that is assayed to determine if valuable elements are contained in the rock. A grab sample is not intended to be representative of the deposit, and usually the best-looking material is selected.

Grinding media: Material used to finely grind ore material to a size which allows recovery of the desired contained material.

Grizzly: A grating made of steel rails that can be placed over the top of a chute or ore pass for the purpose of stopping large pieces of rock or ore that may hang up in the pass. 

Gross value - The theoretical value of ore determined simply by applying the assay of metal or metals and the current market price. It must be used only with caution and severe qualification.

Ground control - The regulation and final arresting of the closure of the walls of a mined area. The term generally refers to measures taken to prevent roof falls or coal bursts.

Gunite - Cement applied by spraying to the roof and sides of a mine passage is called gunite.