stope

 
Pronunciation: /stəʊp/

noun

(usually stopes)
  • a step-like working in a mine: they haul the rock out of the stopes using buckets driven by small motorized winches

verb

[no object] (usually as noun stoping)
  • (in mining) excavate a series of steps or layers in (the ground or rock).
  • (as noun stoping) Geology the process by which country rock is broken up and removed by the upward movement of magma.

Origin:

mid 18th century: apparently related to the noun step