A brattice curtain is a temporary barrier (such as a large sheet, panel of wood or concrete) used in an underground mine to help control ventilation. Brattice curtains are used to direct sufficient amounts of clean air to the working face, and remove low-quality air away. Essentially, these barriers can be used to control air circulation.

Stoppings are permanent barriers, and are used separate intake airflow and return airflow. Stoppings can be constructed of different materials including bricks, steel or concrete.

Figure: Both Brattice curtains and stoppings are used to direct airflow, both intake and return, in underground mines. The columns here are the pillars in the mine.