SHAFT SINKING

Presented By : Kaustubh Sen

 CONTENTS
Introduction
Definition
Purpose of Shaft Sinking
Design of Mine Shafts
Preparatory Work
Conventional Method of Shaft Sinking
 INTRODUCTION
Shaft mining or shaft sinking is the action of excavating a mine shaft from the top down, where
there is initially no access to the bottom.[1] Shallow shafts, typically sunk for civil engineering
projects, differ greatly in execution method from deep shafts, typically sunk for mining
projects.
Shaft sinking is one of the most difficult of all mine development methods: restricted space, gravity,
groundwater and specialized procedures make the task quite formidable. Shafts may be sunk by
conventional drill and blast or mechanized means.
Historically, mine shaft sinking has been among the most dangerous of all the mining occupations
and the preserve of mining contractors called sinkers. Today shaft sinking contractors are
concentrated in Canada, Germany, China and South Africa.
The modern shaft sinking industry is gradually shifting further towards greater mechanization.
Recent innovations in the form of full-face shaft boring (akin to a vertical tunnel boring machine)
have shown promise but the use of this method is, as of 2019, not widespread.
 DEFINITIONS
Shaft: A vertical or inclined opening from surface for the conveyance of men, materials,
hoisting ore, pumping water and providing ventilation.

Sinking: The work in excavating a shaft.

Shaft Sinking: It may be described as an excavation of vertical or inclined opening from

surface for conveyance of men, materials, ventilation, pumping water, in addition to
hoisting ore and waste rock. It is also called Shaft Construction or Shaft Mining.
 PURPOSE OF SHAFT SINKING
Shaft sinking is used for many purposes.
To transport men and materials to and from underground Workings.
For hoisting ore and waste from underground.
To serve as intake and return airways for the mine (ventilation shaft).
To access an ore body
These shafts are used in applications such as hydro electric projects, water supply, waste water shafts
and tunnel projects.
Drilled shaft machine is used in such process, where it consists of special type of units that are used
in both stable and unstable soils.
Storage of nuclear waste
Temporary storage and treatment of sewage
 DESIGN OF MINE SHAFT
Shafts are a key component of mine development planning, and their locations are
frequently predetermined. When problematic geotechnical site conditions are identified, a
shaft's position may need to be altered. The process of designing a mine shaft is iterative,
and in order to make an economic choice, a variety of factors and possibilities must be taken
into account. By contrasting the net present values (NPV) and internal rates of return (IRR)
from the many options taken into consideration during the optimization process, the
economic conclusion is made. The choice is then made based on which alternative has the
most alluring financial offer. The following design criteria are given above, however they
are not necessarily exhaustive: depth of shaft, required ore and waste tonnage, shift handling
(work force)
 PREPARATORY WORK
Equipment and Surface Plant Required for Sinking Unless there is access to electricity,
winding engines, pumps, etc. are powered by steam boilers and diesel engines.an engine for
winding and winders with locked coil ropes. A steel helmet.
After the sinking is finished, a permanent headgear and permanent winders are installed to
suit the output in place of the temporary headgear. Additional winches for lighting cable,
pump suspension rope, and pump cable, as well as double drum winches for Walling
scaffold. Jackhammer drill air compressors are used to drill into rock and more pressurized
air-powered machinery. About 300 m3 per minute capacity fan.>a steam or diesel-powered
generator for lighting. Sliding doors to hide the top of the shaft. Centering of the shaft.
Signalling setup from the pit bottom to the pit
CONVENTIONAL METHOD OF SHAFT
SINKING
1. Drilling
2. Blasting
3.Mucking and Hoisting
4. Support or shaft lining
5. Auxiliary operations:
a) Dewatering
b) Ventilation
c) Lighting or illumination
Shaft centering
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