Cobbing

Previous to the infliction of cobbing, or booting, the delinquent is fairly tried by a court, consisting of–a president, the oldest soldier; members, next two oldest soldiers, youngest soldier, next youngest soldier.

Source: wiktionary

It is, therefore, always so arranged that the dressing progresses gradually through all the operations, beginning in the mine and ending with the cobbing, or, as the case may be. with the concentration.

Source: wiktionary

To-day, however, cobbing is still an important operation, carried out with a three-fold purpose: first, to separate pure masses of different minerals from one another and from adhereing pieces of gangue, preparing them at once for the market with qa minimum loss from comminution; secondly, to separate several classes of crussing ores according to the predominance of one or the other of the different minerals they contains; and lastly, to produce a classification according to the nature of the gangue.

Source: wiktionary

Wheeler provides greater detail on ore treatment, such as traditional cobbing and sorting methods.

Source: wiktionary