A traditional Cornish term for the void or cavern left in the rock once an orebody has been extracted. It can also refer to a specific unit of measurement for excavated ground. These open stopes can be hazardous if left unsupported, as the hanging wall may eventually collapse into the void.
Heard on the job
Keep clear of the old gunnie on the third level, the timbers are rotting out and the roof is talking.
Also heard as
- gunnies
Do not mix it up with
- Gunnies: Gunnies is simply the plural or variant form, used interchangeably to mean the same void.