For those not familiar with it, the latest issue of the Journal of the
Australasian Historical Society, AUSTRALIASIAN HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY (Volume
15, 1997), has a very useful article by Neville Ritchie and Ray Hooker
entitled: "An Archaeologist's Guide to Mining Terminology", pp. 3-29.  The
abstract reads:
 
"The authors present a glossary of mining terminology commonly used in
Australia and New Zealand.  The definitions and useages come from historical
and contemporary sources and consideration is given to those most frequently
encountered by archaeologists.  The terms relate to alluvial mining, hard rock
mining, ore processing, and coal mining."
 
This glossary is also very appropo for the North American continent.  It also
includes the references from which the glossary terms were drawn.  The Journal
is available at:
 
Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology
Box 220 Holme Building
University of Sydney NSW 2006
Australia
 
 
Mike Polk
Sagebrush Consultants, L.L.C.
Ogden, Utah