Historical Mining Terminology
Before the mid-19th century, the terms slate, shale and schist were not sharply distinguished. In the context of underground coal mining, the term slate was commonly used to refer to shale well into the 20th century. For example, roof slate refers to shale above a coal seam, and draw slate refers to roof slate (shale) that falls from the mine roof as the coal is removed.
Read more about this topic: Slate
Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or mining:
“Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a big furry goddess-creature who resembles everybody’s mom in that she knows what’s best for us. But if you look at the historical record—Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages—you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)
“It’s a mining town in lotus land.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)