A large excavation, often an abandoned drift or a specially cut sump at the lowest point of a mine, used to accumulate groundwater and runoff. The standage provides buffer capacity, allowing water to settle and preventing the active workings from flooding during power outages or pump maintenance. Pumps draw directly from the standage to push water to the surface.
Heard on the job
The main pumps are down for maintenance, but we have enough standage to hold the inflow for at least another day.
Also heard as
- sump
- lodgement