STOPING

Computer Engineering electronics Engineering Civil Engineering

Stoping is the removal of the wanted ore from an underground mine leaving behind an open space known as a stope. Stoping is used when the country rock is sufficiently strong not to cave into the stope, although in most cases artificial support is also provided. As mining progresses the stope is often backfilled with tailings, or when needed for strength, a mixture of tailings and cement.In the past stoping took place with manual tools or by fire-setting; later gunpowder was used, and from the 19th century various other explosives and power-tools came into use.In old mines, stopes frequently collapse at a later time, leaving craters at the surface. They are an unexpected danger when records of underground mining have been lost with the passage of time. loading..