lodge
The space at the mouth of a level next to the shaft, widened to permit wagons to pass, or ore to be deposited for hoisting; called also platt.
lodge: the loading platform at a mine shaft entrance
A lodge is a widened section of a mine level (horizontal passage) positioned immediately at or near the shaft collar, designed to function as a staging area for ore and personnel. Its primary purpose is to create sufficient space for mine cars or wagons to pass one another without obstruction, and to allow ore to accumulate temporarily before being hoisted to surface. In deeper mines with multiple working levels, each level typically has its own lodge aligned with the shaft.
The dimensions of a lodge vary with the mine's scale and the type of haulage used. A typical lodge might extend 15 to 25 feet along the level, widened to perhaps 12 to 16 feet across to accommodate a loaded wagon on one side while allowing another to pass, or to provide a holding area for several cars awaiting the cage. In larger operations with rail-based haulage, the lodge may include switch points or sidings. The floor must be robust enough to withstand repeated loading and unloading, and is often timber-lined or paved with stone.
Function in the haulage cycle
The lodge serves as the critical junction between underground haulage and vertical hoisting. Ore brought from working faces on the level is delivered to the lodge, where it either waits for the next cage lift or is transferred directly into the hoisting bucket or skip. This buffering function helps regulate the flow of material and prevents congestion at the shaft. When ore is being extracted from multiple working levels simultaneously, the lodge prevents collisions between loaded and empty cars in the confined space of the level entrance.
Safety and ventilation considerations shape lodge design. The area must allow adequate air circulation to prevent the accumulation of dust or explosive gases. The lodge also typically provides space for workers to step clear of moving wagons and for the cage operators to control the descent and ascent without obstruction. Inadequate lodge space has historically led to accidents involving runaway cars or workers caught between moving equipment and the shaft walls.
The term lodge is primarily British and Australian in origin; North American miners more commonly use the term platt or platform. Both names refer to the same functional feature, though regional variations in terminology persist across mining districts and eras.