Adit

Related Category: Metallurgy and Mining: Terms and Concepts

(ăd´ĭt), in mining, underground passage excavated nearly horizontally, with one end open to the earth's surface, usually used to service a mine. The adit end is the furthermost end from the surface, i.e., the location where miners work. The adit collar is the area where an adit opens to the surface and must be reinforced against any surface weakness.