Drift Mining

Drift mines are a type of underground mining. This kind of mining is utilized when the mineral is on the side of a mountain. Drift mining is done since it is easier to accomplish and has a lower cost than other types of mining for mining that is to be done on the side of a mountain. Whenever it can be done, the opening to the mine is to be dug a little lower than the mineral vein (or rock). This makes it easier to get the materials out for the reason that gravity assists in moving them downward. The tunnels that are dug are straight and are more commonly known as drifts (hence the name). In the past drift mining was a very dangerous type of mining given that a great number of tunnels would cave in and would trap and kill the miners. Ore was repeatedly mined this way. The early miners were known to have thrown away the silver, copper, and other minerals they found with the gold that they were searching for. The minerals that can be mined with drift mining include gold, coal, quartz, and zinc.