stope: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical
Quick answer
What does “stope” mean?
A step-like excavation in a mine, created by the removal of ore from between two vertical or nearly vertical surfaces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A step-like excavation in a mine, created by the removal of ore from between two vertical or nearly vertical surfaces.
The process or act of excavating ore in such a way, or to produce such an excavation (verb).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in meaning and usage in both mining industries, though regional spelling variations (e.g., 'stoping') may exist.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. No affective connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “stope” in a Sentence
[N] was stoped[V] to stope [N][V] stoping [N] from [location]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stope” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The miners will stope the next section once the supports are in place.
- They've been stoping that rich vein for six months.
American English
- The company plans to stope the new ore body using a cut-and-fill method.
- The area was completely stoped out by the 1950s.
adjective
British English
- The stope face needed additional bolting.
- They reviewed the stope stability data.
American English
- The stope design called for a pillar to be left in place.
- Stope sampling confirmed the high grade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports for mining companies, e.g., 'Q3 production came from the new stope on the 500 level.'
Academic
Found in geology, mining engineering, and industrial archaeology texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term for describing underground mining methods and layouts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stope”
- Confusing it with the more common word 'slope'.
- Using it as a general verb for 'to stop'.
- Misspelling as 'stope' when referring to the verb form ('stoping' is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency technical term used almost exclusively in mining and geology.
Yes, 'to stope' means to excavate ore in a series of steps or to create a stope.
A 'stope' is a specific mining excavation. A 'slope' is an inclined surface or ground. They are completely different words.
It rhymes with 'hope'. In British English /stəʊp/, in American English /stoʊp/.
A step-like excavation in a mine, created by the removal of ore from between two vertical or nearly vertical surfaces.
Stope is usually technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a huge, step-like hole in a mine where ore has been 'stopped' from being there (removed). It's a 'step' for miners, but spelled with an 'o'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MINING IS CARVING STEPS; THE MINE IS A NEGATIVE SPACE.
Practice
Quiz
In which industry would you most likely encounter the word 'stope'?