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Where Is the World's Deepest Mine?
geologyengineering
Quick Answer
The Mponeng gold mine in South Africa reaches depths of about 4 km.
The Full Story
The Mponeng gold mine, located southwest of Johannesburg in South Africa's Witwatersrand Basin, extends to about 4 km below the surface, making it the deepest mine in the world. Rock temperatures at that depth reach roughly 66 °C, requiring massive ice-slurry cooling systems to keep conditions survivable. Workers descend for over an hour in a cage elevator. The mine produces several tonnes of gold per year and has been in operation since 1986.
Key Facts
1.The rock pressure at 4 km depth can cause dangerous "rock bursts" — sudden, explosive fractures.
2.About 4,000 workers are employed at Mponeng.
3.The TauTona mine, also in South Africa, previously held the record at 3.9 km.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Four Kilometres Down — Life in the World's Deepest Mine"