A horizontal mine working driven at a right angle, or oblique angle, to the strike of the orebody or the main geological strata. Unlike a drift, which follows the vein, a crosscut is typically driven through barren country rock to connect parallel workings, establish ventilation, or intersect a known lode from a central shaft.
Heard on the job
Survey wants us to drive a 50-meter crosscut from the main haulage level to intersect the parallel gold vein.
Do not mix it up with
- Drift: A drift follows the mineral vein, while a crosscut cuts through barren rock to reach it.