An adit serves as a primary entrance to an underground mine that is driven into the side of a hill or mountain rather than sunk vertically. It provides a natural slope for gravity drainage of groundwater and allows for the easy extraction of ore using rail cars or rubber-tired vehicles. Miners often prefer adits over vertical access where topography permits, as they eliminate the need for complex and expensive hoisting equipment.
Heard on the job
The survey crew is setting up at the main adit portal to map the new haulage drift.
Do not mix it up with
- Drift: An adit connects the surface to the underground workings, while a drift is an internal horizontal tunnel that follows the ore vein.