Winze
Encyclopedia
A winze is an opening in an underground mine
that is sunk downward (as opposed to a raise
, which is mined upward) from inside to connect lower levels. The top of a winze is located underground, in contrast to a shaft
where the top of the excavation is located on surface.
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
that is sunk downward (as opposed to a raise
Raise (mining)
In underground mining a raise refers to a vertical or inclined excavation that leads from one level, or drift, to another. A raise may also extend to surface...
, which is mined upward) from inside to connect lower levels. The top of a winze is located underground, in contrast to a shaft
Shaft mining
Shaft mining or shaft sinking refers to the method of excavating a vertical or near-vertical tunnel from the top down, where there is initially no access to the bottom....
where the top of the excavation is located on surface.