stope
/stoʊp/
noun
- A step-like excavation in a mine from which ore is extracted.
- The old stope was filled with rubble after the mine was abandoned.
- Safety inspections are required in every stope to prevent cave-ins.
- The miners worked in a narrow stope deep underground, chipping away at the silver ore.
verb
- To excavate ore in a step-like pattern within a mine.
- The crew will stope the vein carefully to maximize the yield of copper.
- The company plans to stope the remaining ore next year.
- They learned how to stope safely during their mining training.