A dedicated underground passage used to course fresh air into the mine workings or to exhaust contaminated air back to the surface. Keeping wind roads clear of obstructions is critical, as any blockage increases resistance and reduces the total airflow available to the active mining faces.
Heard on the job
The roof fall in the secondary wind road has choked the airflow to the longwall panel.
Also heard as
- windway
- airway
Related terms
Windway
A dedicated tunnel or passage used to route ventilation air through a mine.
Airway
Any underground gallery, drift, or shaft designated specifically for routing ventilation air through a mine.
Return
An underground passage that carries exhausted or contaminated air away from the working face.
Upcast
A vertical mine shaft designated for exhausting stale air to the surface.