Small shafts sunk by poor miners.
1857. These coyote-diggings require to be very rich to pay, from the great amount of labour necessary before any pay-dirt can be obtained.—Borthwick, ‘California,’ p. 138 (Bartlett).
1867. This is called coyoting, from the supposed resemblance of the openings to the burrows of the coyote.—J. A. Phillips, ‘Mining,’ p. 164. (N.E.D.)
