Quarrying Terminology

2. the angle in degrees between the horizontal and a line joining the bench toe to the bench crest
4. a ledge that forms a single level of operation above which mineral or waste materials are mined to a bench face
5. the line defining the limit of economic excavation as defined on the ground surface. This may be defined as a result of exceeding the economic stripping ratio or the proximity to existing structures or property boundaries
7. the volume of overburden that needs to be excavated to enable the ore/coal to be safely excavated without the danger of slope failure
9. the vertical face of the bench connecting the bench toe to the bench crest
11. the base of the bench, either on the next bench down or onto the base of excavation

1. maximum slope at which a heap of loose material will stand without sliding will vary for different materials and geological conditions
3. the angle measured between the horizontal ground surface and a line drawn joining the toe of the lowest bench to the crest of the highest bench
6. the vertical distance between the bench toe of a bench and the bench crest of the adjacent bench
8. a raised mound or barrier of material to prevent mobile plant from falling from the edge of a bench
10. the edge of the bench