longwall

American

[lawng-wawl, long-] / ˈlɔŋˌwɔl, ˈlɒŋ- /

adjective

Mining.

noting or pertaining to a means of extracting coal or other minerals in an underground mine from a continuous face, the roof before the face being supported at intervals by temporary or movable artificial supports.

noun

the continuous face so worked.

Etymology

Origin of longwall

First recorded in 1830–40; long ¹ + wall

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

longwall

South32, the world's biggest producer of manganese, is facing operational headwinds at its Illawarra Metallurgical Coal project after the miner undertook an extended planned longwall move at the Dendrobium mine.

From Reuters ● Oct. 23, 2023

Arch will move longwall equipment from its Mountain Laurel mine in Logan County to Leer South early next year.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 20, 2019

The proposal calls for extending longwall tunnels beneath streams running through a state park.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 16, 2017

Considered the most efficient and profitable method of deep-mining, the longwall is a massive and expensive mining device that runs on tracks 1,000 feet long, back and forth, ripping out coal.

From Slate ● Nov. 14, 2012

Massey uses longwall mining technology to remove much of Upper Big Branch's coal.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 10, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023