Blind Shaft

A vertical or near-vertical underground shaft that does not reach the surface, used to connect underground levels within a mine for personnel access, material transport, ventilation, or service conveyance. Blind shafts are sunk from an existing underground level downward to access deeper ore zones without constructing a full surface shaft. They are used in gold and diamond underground mines where deep ore requires vertical infrastructure between sublevels. Sinking methods include conventional drill-and-blast or mechanical raise boring techniques.