A defined excavation pit in shallow, superficial deposits, often used in alluvial mining. It also refers to a constructed bin, walled area, or designated patch of ground on the surface where mined ore or washdirt is stockpiled before processing. In historic goldfields, miners would build timber or stone paddocks to keep their payload separate from their neighbors' dirt.
Heard on the job
Dump the next three loads of washdirt in the top paddock until the trommel is fixed.