A steep or vertical tunnel driven downward from an existing underground level, rather than from the surface. Winzes are used to access deeper ore, connect levels for ventilation, or transfer broken rock to a lower haulage drift.
Heard on the job
We're sinking a winze from the 400 level to intercept the orebody at 450 before we commit to deepening the main shaft.
Do not mix it up with
- Staple: Both are internal shafts, but a winze is typically sunk downward on the vein in hardrock mining, while a staple shaft is usually vertical and associated with coal mining.