How is ore brought to the surface from an underground mine?

In underground mining, ore is transported from working levels to the surface through a systematic process primarily utilizing vertical openings known as shafts.

The process generally follows these steps:

• Collection: Ore mined at various levels is dumped into vertical or near-vertical openings called ore passes, where it falls by gravity to the lowest level of the mine.1
• Loading: At the lowest level, the ore is crushed, stored in an ore bin, and then charged into special conveyances called [skips].1
• Hoisting: The skips are hoisted through the shaft to the surface. Once they reach the head frame, the skips dump their loads and return underground to repeat the cycle.1

While shafts equipped with skips are the principal means of vertical transport, other methods include the use of conveyor belts or truck haulage, depending on the specific mine design and infrastructure. In some instances, access to the surface may also be achieved via ramps—tunnels driven downward from the surface—or through adits if the mine is located in mountainous terrain.1