This historic role involved sorting through the discarded rock and crushed waste piles left behind by earlier operations. The worker would manually sift, wash, or break open these tailings to recover small but valuable fragments of overlooked ore. It was typically a low-paying task performed when primary veins were exhausted or by independent workers trying to scrape together a living from abandoned dumps.
Heard on the job
There are a few cavers picking through the old dump pile out back, hoping to find enough copper to pay for their week.
Insider tip
Do not confuse this historic mining occupation with the recreational sport of exploring natural underground caves.