Types
of Hard Rock Mines
by
Todd Underwood
Tunnels
Hard
rock mines usually fall into one of two categories, tunnels
or shafts. Each involves digging and blasting deep into
the bowels of the earth. Tunnel hard rock mines begin at
the earth's surface
Tunnel Mine
and
continue horizontally into the rock. Tunnels can extend
for miles as they follow the ore. Most tunnels have many
side tunnels, or even shafts that are sunk far back in the
tunnel. These shafts are called winzes. Exploring Tunnel
mines is very dangerous as it its dark and very difficult
to see winzes. Many tunnels go back so far into the earth
they tap into some of the earth's geothermal resources filling
with gas that is toxic to humans. There is also the danger
of cave-ins in old shafts that are no longer supported by
the rotting wood timbers.
Shafts
A
shaft is a whole in the earth that is dug relatively straight
down. Shafts usually have some sort of headframe or large
wooden or metal
structure at the top of the shaft to support a hoist. Hoists
are used to lower men and machinery into the mine and to
haul
Looking down a Shaft
ore
out. Many shafts have tunnels dug at different depths throughout
the shaft. Getting too close to the side of an abandoned
shaft can spell almost certain death. Many of the shafts
extend thousands of feet into the earth.
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