The extraction of coal from seams that dip at steep angles, typically greater than 15 degrees. Miners must work on a steep incline, relying on gravity to move the broken coal down to the haulage level below. This method requires specialized ground control and support structures to prevent rockfalls and manage the steep working face.
Heard on the job
We're switching to pitch mining on the east panel since the seam dips sharply past the fault line.
Related terms
Pitch
A designated section of a mine assigned to a specific group of miners working for a share of the ore.
Room and pillar
An underground mining method where material is extracted across a horizontal plane, leaving blocks of ore to support the roof.
Longwall
An underground coal mining method that extracts a wide panel in a single continuous slice.