The shape and stucture of a mineral's crystal or cluster of crystals.

 

A jagged fracture, with an irregular surface.

 

Minerals containing the halogen elements, Chlorine, Bromine, Fluorine, and Iodine, as primary elements.

 

Hardness is tested by scratching (producing a groove through microfracturing). Since only a harder mineral can scratch a softer one, hardness is a reliable measure for testing the strength of a mineral's structure in relation to its chemical bonds. The Mohs Hardness Scale goes from a hardness of 1 for talc to a hardness of 10 for diamond.

 

Structure above the mine shaft containing the equipment necessary for lowering and raising equipment and personnel, and for raising the ore that is generally stored in an ore bin before being transported to the processing plant.

 

A vein above a drift. An interior level or airway driven in a mine. In longwall workings, a narrow passage driven upward from a gangway in starting a working in order to give a loose end.

 

The most common iron ore, it is a natural iron oxide that is reddish or brown in colour.

 

A crystal having different forms at each end.

 

A crystallization system having three equal horizontal axes intersecting at 120 degrees, plus a vertical axis of a different length.

 

A sharp rise in the floor of a seam.

 

A drum on which hoisting rope is wound in the engine house, as the cage or skip is raised in the hoisting shaft.

 

(Metaphysical) A therapeutic system of medicine that is based on the principle of similars- like cures like - which means that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in an unhealthy person. Homeopathy aims to aid and stimulate the body's own defense and immune processes. Homeopathic medicines are derived from a variety of plants, animal materials and minerals. These medicines are prescribed to fit each individual's needs, given in much smaller and less toxic doses than traditional medications, and are used for both prevention and treatment. Established 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahneman, and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the second largest therapeutic system in the world.

 

A family of chemical compounds containing carbon and hydrogen atoms in various combinations, found especially in fossil fuels.

 

Deposited from a hot solution, generally heated by magmatic heat.