Engineering Flashcards
A large machine used for digging and moving earth.
Excavator
Example sentence: “The excavator broke down, causing delays in the construction project.”
A naturally occurring material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted.
Ore
Example sentence: “The mine is rich in iron ore, making it highly profitable.”
A vertical or inclined opening in the ground, typically for accessing a mine or conducting drilling.
Shaft
Example sentence: “The miners descended into the shaft to extract coal from deep underground.”
Waste material left over after the extraction of valuable minerals from ore.
Tailings
Example sentence: “The company implemented measures to properly dispose of tailings to minimize environmental impact.”
Vibrations and movements of the Earth’s crust caused by geological processes such as earthquakes.
Seismic Activity:
Example sentence: “Seismic activity in the region prompted the mine to reinforce its infrastructure to ensure safety.”
Strong and sturdy, capable of withstanding harsh conditions.
Robust
Example sentence: “The new equipment has a robust design, making it suitable for rugged mining environments.”
Achieving maximum productivity with minimal waste or effort.
Efficient
Example sentence: “The company implemented efficient mining practices to reduce costs and increase profitability.”
Consistently performing well and meeting expectations.
Reliable
Example sentence: “Our team of engineers ensures the reliable operation of machinery to minimize downtime.”
Capable of being maintained or continued over the long term without depleting natural resources.
Sustainable
Example sentence: “The company is committed to sustainable mining practices to protect the environment for future generations.”
To investigate thoroughly or search for hidden information
Dig deep:
Example sentence: “We need to dig deep to uncover the root cause of the equipment malfunction.”
To find something highly valuable or successful.
Strike gold
Example sentence: “The exploration team struck gold when they discovered a new vein of precious metals.”
To reach the lowest point or experience the worst situation.
Hit rock bottom
Example sentence: “After years of mismanagement, the company hit rock bottom and went bankrupt.”
To remove or take out something, usually with effort or force.
Extract
Example sentence: “The miners extract coal from underground mines using specialized equipment.”
To bore holes into the ground or rock for exploration or extraction purposes.
Drill
Example sentence: “The geologists drilled core samples to analyze the composition of the rock formations.”
To search for valuable minerals or metals in a particular area.
Prospect
Example sentence: “The company hired a team of geologists to prospect for gold deposits in the region.”
Operating at a financial loss or having negative profits.
In the red
Example sentence: “The company has been in the red for several consecutive quarters due to declining commodity prices.”
Practical, realistic, and straightforward.
Down to earth:
Example sentence: “The project manager is down to earth and prefers simple solutions to complex problems.”
Take advantage of an opportunity promptly while it’s available.
Strike while the iron is hot:
Example sentence: “The company decided to invest in new technology, striking while the iron was hot to gain a competitive edge.”
Doing something quickly or cheaply without following proper procedures or standards.
Cutting corners:
Example sentence: “Cutting corners in safety protocols led to a series of accidents at the mine.”
To work hard or persistently.
Grind
Example sentence: “Miners have to grind through long shifts in difficult conditions.”
A machine used to crush large rocks or stones into smaller pieces.
Rock Crusher
Example sentence: “The rock crusher processes ore into manageable sizes for further processing.”
A hole drilled into the ground and filled with explosives for blasting.
Blast Hole
Example sentence: “The blast hole was carefully prepared before detonation to maximize efficiency.”
Mechanical device for transporting materials or ore within a mine.
Conveyor
Example: “The conveyor system efficiently moves ore from the extraction site to the processing plant.”
Machine used for drilling holes in rock formations to extract minerals or for exploration purposes.
Drill rig
Example: “The drill rig reached depths of over 500 meters in search of gold deposits.”
Residue material left over after the extraction of minerals from ore.
Tailings
Example: “The company implemented measures to responsibly dispose of tailings and minimize environmental impact.”
Established procedures to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment in mining operations.
Safety protocol
Example: “All employees must adhere to strict safety protocols while working in the mine.”
Furnace used for smelting or refining metals from ore using high temperatures.
Blast furnace
Example: “The blast furnace operates continuously to produce molten iron from raw materials.”
Mixture of water and finely ground particles of ore or other materials.
Slurry
Example: “The slurry is pumped through pipelines for processing and extraction of valuable minerals.”
Accumulation of ore or materials stored for future use or processing.
Stockpile
Example: “The company maintains a large stockpile of coal to meet demand during peak seasons.”
Containment area for storing and managing tailings from mining operations.
Tailings pond
Example: “The tailings pond underwent regular inspections to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.”
Having high concentration or compactness.
Dense
Example: “The dense rock formations required specialized drilling equipment.”
Broken or cracked, especially concerning rock formations.
Fractured
Example: “The fractured bedrock posed challenges during tunneling operations.”
Left empty or deserted, often referring to old mine sites.
Abandoned
Example: “The abandoned mine was reclaimed and rehabilitated to restore the surrounding ecosystem.”
Strong and sturdy, capable of withstanding heavy use.
Robust
Example: “The robust conveyor system operated efficiently even under extreme conditions.”
Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable
Example: “The company implemented sustainable mining practices to minimize environmental impact.”
Covering a wide area or scope.
Expansive
Example: “The mine had an expansive network of tunnels and shafts.”
Difficult or impossible to reach or access.
Inaccessible
Example: “The ore deposit was located in an inaccessible region of the mountains.”
Relating to or caused by earthquakes or other earth movements.
Seismic
Example: “Seismic monitoring detected minor tremors in the vicinity of the mine.”
Having the tendency to cause gradual deterioration or destruction.
Corrosive
Example: “The corrosive nature of certain chemicals required special handling procedures.”
To discover a rich deposit of minerals or ore.
Hit a vein
Example: “After months of exploration, the geologists finally hit a vein of gold.”
Coming close to the deadline or endpoint of a project.
Down to the wire
Example: “We’re down to the wire with the construction of the new mine shaft.”
To start over or rethink a plan after a setback or failure.
“Back to the drawing board”
Currently being planned or developed and expected to happen in the future
In the pipeline
Example: “The new ore processing plant is in the pipeline and should be operational by next year.”
A small, visible part of a larger problem or issue.
Tip of the iceberg
Example: “The environmental damage caused by the mine is just the tip of the iceberg.”
To restore or reclaim land affected by mining activities.
Rehabilitate
Example: “The company is required to rehabilitate the land once mining operations cease.”
To observe, track, or supervise the progress or conditions of something.
Monitor
Example: “The environmental team monitors water quality in the vicinity of the mine.”
To purify or process raw materials to improve their quality or value.
Refine
Example: “The ore undergoes refining to extract precious metals.”
To cease operations and leave a mine site.
Abandon
Example: “The company decided to abandon the mine due to declining profitability.”
To restore or rehabilitate land affected by mining activities.
Reclaim
Example: “The government mandated the mining company to reclaim the land after operations ceased.”
To use explosives to break or fragment rock formations.
Blasting
Example: “The miners conducted controlled blasting to create access tunnels.”
To evaluate or determine the nature, quality, or significance of something.
Assess
Example: “The engineers assessed the stability of the mine shaft before allowing workers to enter.”
To start a process or activity.
Get the ball rolling
Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on the construction of the new mine facility.”
To improvise or make decisions as events unfold.
Play it by ear
Example: “We’ll play it by ear and adjust our plans based on the drilling results.”
To understand or grasp the meaning or intention behind someone’s words.
Catch someone’s drift
Example: “I’m not sure what the engineer meant, but I think I caught his drift.”
To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation.
“Bite the bullet”
Example: “We’ll have to bite the bullet and invest in new equipment to improve efficiency.”
To familiarize oneself with a new or unfamiliar situation.
Get the lay of the land
Example: “Before starting exploration, the geologists need to get the lay of the land.”
Extremely angry or agitated about something.
Up in arms
Example: “The community was up in arms over the proposed expansion of the mine.”
To maintain one’s position or opinion firmly.
Stick to one’s guns
Example: “Despite opposition, the company decided to stick to its guns and proceed with the project.”
To go through a series of difficult or time-consuming tasks or procedures.
“Jump through hoops”
Example: “We had to jump through hoops to obtain the necessary permits for the new mine.”
A network of fans and shafts used to circulate air throughout a mine to maintain air quality and remove hazardous gases.
Ventilation system
Example: “The ventilation system malfunctioned, causing concerns about air quality in the mine.”
A structure built to contain and manage tailings from mining operations, often constructed with embankments and liners to prevent environmental contamination.
Tailings dam
Example: “The tailings dam overflowed during heavy rainfall, leading to environmental damage downstream.”
A study of the geological and structural characteristics of an area to assess its suitability for mining activities and identify potential risks.
Geotechnical survey
Example: “The geotechnical survey revealed unstable ground conditions, prompting adjustments to the mine design.”
A large, heavy-duty vehicle used to transport materials or ore within a mine, typically equipped with a bed for carrying loads
Haul truck
Example: “The haul truck transported ore from the extraction site to the processing plant.”
The residue or by-product left over after smelting or refining metal ores, often consisting of impurities and waste materials.
Slag
Example: “The slag from the smelting process was disposed of in designated landfills.”
A mining method in which horizontal tunnels, or drifts, are excavated along the mineral deposit to access and extract ore.
Drift mining
Example: “Drift mining is commonly used in situations where the ore body is shallow and extends horizontally.”
A chemical process used to extract gold and silver from ore by dissolving them in a cyanide solution.
Cyanide leaching
Example: “The mine employed cyanide leaching to recover gold from low-grade ore deposits.”