1. To excavate ore in a vein by driving horizontally upon it a series of workings, one immediately over the other, or vice versa; each horizontal working is called a stope because when a number of them are in progress, each working face under attack assumes the shape of a flight of stairs.

2. Any subterranean extraction of ore except that which is incidentally performed in sinking shafts or driving levels for the purpose of opening the mine.