THE COMMENTATOR GLOSSARY OF
ANTHRACITE MINING TERMS

G - H - I - J

G

GAFFER:
The mine foreman.

GANGWAY:
A main haulage road underground.

GOB:
(a) To store underground the rock and refuse encountered in mining. (b) The material so packed or stored.

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE:
A committee chosen by the local union to act as agent for the aggrieved in differences with management.

GROUT:
A thin cement mixture forced into cavities or crevices of a stratum.

GUARD-BOARDS:
Boards extending below power wires to protect men and animals from contact.

GUARD-RAIL:
An additional rail placed beside the track rail to compel the flange of the wheels to run close to the latter in crossing over frog points or entering switches.

GUNBOAT:
A self-dumping box on wheels used for raising or lowering coal in slopes; a monitor; a skip.

GUIDE:
Wood beams installed vertically in a shaft to direct travel of cage.

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H

HANGING WALL:
The wall or side above an inclined seam or vein.

HAULAGE:
Mine transportation.

HAULAGEWAY:
A passageway driven or used for mine haulage.

HEAD:
1. The pressure in feed of water column. 2. The immediate area around the top of a shaft or incline.

HEADBLOCK:
A heavy obstruction placed end-on across the rail to prevent the passage of a runaway mine car.

HEADER:
A plank or timber supported by two props, one on each end.

HEADFRAME:
A structure erected over a shaft to carry the sheave for the hoisting cable.

HEADHOUSE:
A head or building that encloses the head frame.

HEADING:
A gangway, entry or airway.

HEAVING:
The rising of the bottom after the removal of the coal.

HITCH:
A niche cut in the rock or coal into which timbers are placed and wedged.

HUNG SHOT:
A delayed blast.

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I

IDLER:
A sheave or pulley running loose on a shaft to guide or support a rope.

IGNITER:
A device to relight safety lamps internally by friction.

INBY:
In the direction of the working face.

INCLINE:
An opening driven up or down the pitch.

INTAKE:
The passage through which fresh air enters the mine.

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J

JACKHAMMER:
Hammer type drill operated by compressed air.

JACK PIPE:
A piece of pointed pipe used to hold a rope or pulley in position.

JACK PROP:
A temporary prop.

JIG:
A mechanical device used to separate refuse from coal.

JIM CROW:
A device for bending or straightening rails.

JURY HOUSE:
Same as court house.

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