Where two or more mining claims longitudinally bisect or divide the apex of a
vein, the senior claim takes the entire width of the vein on its dip, if it is
in other respects so located as to give the right to pursue the vein downward
outside of the sideline. In other words, a broad lode bisected by the division
sidelines between two mining claims belongs to the claim having the prior
location. The term lode has become extensively used in the classification of
ore deposits that are not comprehended by the definition of a vein. Such an
occurrence is called a broad lode or zone. See also: broad vein
Source:
Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms
