Shaft Mining

Shaft mining is an underground mining method that uses a vertical (or near-vertical) opening called a shaft to reach deep mineral deposits. From the shaft, miners develop horizontal tunnels (levels) to access and extract ore safely and efficiently.

Typical shaft mining setup (vertical shaft + underground levels).

1) What is shaft mining?

Shaft mining is a type of underground mining where a shaft is excavated from the surface down to the ore body. The shaft becomes the main access route for people, equipment, and ore hoisting. Depending on the design, a mine may have multiple shafts for separate tasks such as hoisting, ventilation, and emergency escape.

You may also hear the term shaft sinking, which describes the construction stage—excavating the shaft, supporting the rock, installing lining, and building stations and services.

2) Where is shaft mining used?

Shaft mining is chosen when mineral deposits are located deep below the surface and surface mining becomes impractical. It is commonly associated with deep deposits of minerals such as coal, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and other high-value ores.

3) Main parts of a mine shaft

A modern shaft mine typically includes these major components:

4) How shaft mining works (step-by-step)

1. Site investigation & design: Engineers confirm geology, rock strength, groundwater, and choose shaft diameter and depth.
2. Shaft sinking: The shaft is excavated downward. Rock support and lining are installed as the shaft deepens.
3. Build stations: Shaft stations (plats) are developed at planned depths to connect to underground levels.
4. Develop levels: Horizontal tunnels (drifts/galleries) spread from the shaft toward ore zones.
5. Install hoisting & services: Hoists, cages/skips, pipes, cables, and ventilation systems are commissioned.
6. Production mining: Ore is extracted and hoisted to surface using skips or hoisting systems, then processed or shipped.

5) Off-shaft access

The horizontal workings that branch from the shaft are commonly called drifts, galleries, or levels. These tunnels extend from the shaft station to reach areas where the ore body is present. Good off-shaft layout improves production flow and safety by separating travel routes, ore haulage, and ventilation paths.

6) Surface facilities

The surface area above the shaft typically includes a headframe, hoist house, power systems, and material handling areas. Ore may be stored in bins and transferred to a processing plant or transport system. If the shaft supports ventilation, surface ducting or casing may be used to manage airflow.

7) Shaft lining

Shaft lining provides structural support and protects the shaft from unstable rock and groundwater. The type of lining depends on geology and conditions. Common lining approaches include concrete segments, shotcrete/fibrecrete, brick, cast iron tubing, and other engineered solutions. In strong rock with minimal support needs, lining may be reduced, but safety and airflow still matter.

8) Shaft compartments

Shafts are often divided into compartments to separate functions. A typical layout may include:

• Man-riding compartment: cages for workers and equipment (like an elevator).
• Ore hoisting compartment: skips used to lift ore to the surface.
• Services / emergency compartment: ladders or backup cage, plus pipes, cables, fuel and water lines.

9) Safety & ventilation

Shaft sinking and underground work involve serious risks such as rock falls, water inflow, equipment hazards, and ventilation failures. Mines manage these risks with engineered ground support, strict hoisting rules, communication systems, emergency exits, and ventilation planning to maintain safe airflow underground.

10) FAQ (interactive)