A number of selective mining methods, including drifts and benches, are employed but long-hole stoping (LHS) with paste fill is the primary bulk mining method.
South Deep is an underground bulk mechanised mine using a mix of full-time employees and contractors. Reserves are accessed through access development, destress and shadow development cuts to manage rock stress and seismic activity. A few selective mining methods, including drifts and benches, are employed but long-hole stoping with backfill is the primary bulk mining method. Given the unique mining method, there is a continuous extraction sequence and mine layout optimisation.
The workings are accessed from the surface through two shaft systems: the Twin Shaft Complex (main and ventilation shafts), of which the main shaft comprises a single drop to 110A level, a depth of 2,998m; the vent shaft to 110 level at a depth of 2,947m; and the South Shaft Complex, which is a subvertical system (three operating shafts) to 95 level at a depth of 2,786m.
The mine is divided into three main areas:
1. Current mine (CM), characterised by selective mining methods scattered over a large area originally exploited by means of conventional tabular mining. CM is accessed from three active levels (90, 93 and 95) from the South Shaft and Twin Shaft complexes;
2. The North of Wrench (NOW), directly south and down dip of CM, comprises six mining corridors separated by regional pillars that extend s ........