Beamwork is a traditional open-cut mining technique where miners dig directly down into an exposed mineral vein from the surface. Instead of sinking shafts or driving horizontal adits, the workers simply excavate the lode downward, creating a deep trench. This method was primarily used in historic tin mining before underground operations became necessary.
Heard on the job
The old beamwork on the hill shows exactly where the early miners chased the tin lode down to the water table.