Shrinkage Stoping

An underground mining method used in steeply dipping orebodies with potentially difficult wall rock conditions. The ore is drilled and blasted in slices advancing upwards. As broken rock requires a larger volume than solid rock, some ore must be drawn off as the stope advances. Only enough ore is drawn off after each blast to provide adequate working space for the next cycle. Once a complete lift of ore has been broken, the ore is completely loaded out from the bottom of the stope.