Adit
An
adit (from Latin ''aditus'', entrance) or
stulm
is a horizontal or nearly horizontal passage to an
underground mine.
Miners can use adits for access, drainage, ventilation, and extracting minerals at the lowest convenient level. Adits are also used to explore for
mineral veins. Although most strongly associated with mining, the term ''adit'' is sometimes also used in the context of underground excavation for non-mining purposes; for example, to refer to smaller underground passageways excavated for underground
metro systems, to provide pedestrian access to stations (
pedestrian adits), and for access required during construction (
construction adits).
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