Mining work in areas of a mine where no ore is being extracted; excavation of rock and earth without profitable yield.
From 'dead' (unprofitable) plus 'work' (from Old English 'weorc'). Mining terminology that combines 'dead' (meaning non-productive) with 'work' (labor).
Miners distinguished between paying work (extracting ore) and deadwork (tunneling through barren rock to reach ore), but deadwork was essential—miners had to pass through 'dead' ground to reach the treasure.
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