Where are the hanging wall and footwall located around an ore body?

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In the context of a mineral deposit, the hanging wall and footwall are defined by their position relative to the ore body:

  • Hanging wall: The rock formation located directly above the ore body.1
  • Footwall: The rock formation located directly below the ore body.1

These terms are typically used when describing tabular ore bodies, which lie as a filling between relatively parallel layers of rock. Understanding these structural boundaries is essential for effective mine planning and development.12