This is the uncompleted or blind face of an underground heading where excavation has stopped. Because it lacks a through-connection to the primary ventilation circuit, airflow naturally stagnates, allowing hazardous gases and dust to accumulate. Auxiliary ventilation, such as fans and ducting, must be installed to force fresh air into these blind headings so crews can work safely.
We can't send the jumbo down that dead end until the vent crew runs the ducting right up to the face.
Miners are strictly forbidden from walking into unventilated dead ends because of the severe risk of asphyxiation from oxygen depletion or trapped gas.
Related terms
Drift
A horizontal or near-horizontal underground passage.
Crosscut
A horizontal underground tunnel driven across the main strike of the rock formation.
Heading
A horizontal tunnel or gallery being driven into an ore body or coal seam.
Blind level
An underground horizontal passage that connects two vertical shafts but does not open to the surface.