Shaft mining

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Shaft mining is a type of underground mining done by use of a mine shaft.

A mine shaft is a vertical or inclined passageway used to access to an underground mining facility. On the surface above the shaft stands a building known as the pit head (or poppet head), which historically contained a winding engine and in modern times contains an electric hoist controller. This raises and lowers the cage within the shaft. The cage serves as a lift for the transportation of minerals, equipment and workers.

The horizontal workings extending from the central shaft are called drifts, galleries or levels. This is contrasted to: Drift mining

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