What Is a mine drift?

[bighomerrr]

I was researching about what are the dangers of working in a mine and one thing came out is dangers of drift mine. So I searched , what a drift is in underground mining and t's basically an entry into the mine that sits above the water level. From what I understand, you can just shut them up as they appear. Is that the only way to stop them or there are other methods? How is this type of mine different from others? Coz I'm also wondering how you can prevent them.

 

[Shelley_Goodwin]

Think of a drift as a sideways doorway into the ore body, usually driven into the hillside. Compared to shafts (vertical) or slopes (angled), drifts are cheaper and faster to sink but carry the same risks... rock falls, gases, poor ground support. When they're done with, they're sealed with concrete bulkheads or backfilled, not just "shut like a door."

 

[Alan]

Drifts also can cause ventilation problems because the airflow isn't great, which means gas can build up. So, unlike shafts, you usually need extra fans to keep the air safe.