Shaft

A vertical or steeply inclined opening providing access to a mine for men and materials and to hoist out ore and waste. It is also used for ventilation. In South Africa, at Western Deep Levels the No.2 and No.3 shafts are identical tertiary systems (three stages) sunk to a depth of almost four kilometres and the new shaft at West Driefontein will access ore more than four kilometres from the surface.

See also Sub-Vertical Shaft.