2366 Meters Underground

[hughesy627]

Whilst over in South Africa visiting the in-laws i had the opportunity to go 2366 meters underground at a gold mine in Free State. What an experience, these guys work hard in really tough conditions and for very little pay. The photo quality is not that great as i was not supposed to even have a camera down there (handy that my mate knew the security boys ) so had to take only quick snaps. Riding the cage down was crazy, it goes at 15 meters/sec and it is in complete darkness, needless to say it was squeaky bum time. Roasting down there very much the same temperatures in the engine rooms i work in, the rock face at the deepest points can reach 50c. Any way just thought i would share the pics. Sorry 5UB forgot the OCUK FTW sign this time

Main shaft where we ride the cage down

1 of the 2 winches used to operate the cage

Cage Control Station

Drilling in preparation for the explosive charges

Chair lift system takes you down to the lower levels 65-71

Shelter station where we need to get to in the event of cave ins, fire etc to await rescue. Did not look a nice place to be stuck

The tunnels

The smaller pieces of rock and rubble get transported up to large slurry pits to be further refined

One of the many main pumping stations used for removing the water from the mines

 

[MooMoo444]

Where's all the gooooooold?

 

[Lysander]

It's like Harrods.

 

[hughesy627]

. Down at the main blasting face i couldnt get any photos of the main gold vain, it is actualy black which was a surprise to me!

 

[Cosimo]

Thanks for the pictures.

Are your relatives in the industry?

How many people work done there?

 

[hughesy627]

It was my other halfs friend he is an engineering foreman there so he pulled a few strings to get me down. I dont know the exact figure but i am sure he said in the thousands, these tunnels on multiple levels stretch for miles.

 

[TheVoice]

Metres.

 

[hughesy627]

Damn you spell check you have embarrassed me once more

 

[bitslice]

I like how the safety critical lift control lever

Is a Pool ball

 

[Outcast]

I'd have thought it'd be stone cold down that low !

Good pics too, ta.

Very interesting

 

[hughesy627]

Check the red & black covers on the buttons left hand side, they are coca cola caps

 

[Kosmiche]

Is that the place that was featured in Charlie Boormans Affrican Adventure?

 

[ElliorR]

I've seen far too many films where going into a mine turned out to be a bad idea to ever go down one.

 

[Nix]

So, did you enjoy riding the main shaft in total darkness?

 

[hughesy627]

I think he went down one of the mines in Carltonville just outside Jozi, i was in one in Free State near Welkom.

 

[hughesy627]

Not as much as my missus might have

 

[Orionaut]

Interestingly, the air pressure at the bottom of these very deep mines is significantly greater than normal atmospheric!

Sufficiently so to present possible hazards to health!

This isn't because they are pressurised, it is because it just is (Owing to the greater atmospheric depth)!

 

[hughesy627]

You feel the pressure change as the cage goes down, your ears are popping every few seconds.

 

[Pawnless Endgame]

I'd have thought it'd be stone cold down that low !

Good pics too, ta.

Very interesting

I think it's warmer because they're a lot closer to the Earth's lava.

 

[Glaucus]

I'd have thought it'd be stone cold down that low !

Good pics too, ta.

Very interesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient


Very interesting, must have been a great trip.