Spiral drift in the Asse mine passable again

The entire so-called spiral drift in the Asse mine can be used again. Following a remediation taking about one year, works could be completed faster than expected. The remediation of the spiral drift serves the safety of the staff and is a prerequisite for a successful retrieval of the waste from the Asse mine.

View onto the spiral drift

Spiral drift connects levels in depths between 490 and 750 m

The underground winding road connects the different levels in the mine. It serves as connection to the levels in depths of 490 metres and 750 metres where there is a connection to the shaft. Now persons and materials can be transported more quickly and less complicated to the places of use. Also the limitation of numbers of workers entering the mine that was effective for some areas in the mine as a result of the restricted escape route situation, can be lifted.

Cause of blockage

During inspections, cracks had been detected in the roof and ground of the spiral drift on the 637-m level. Since occupational health and safety could no longer be ensured, the area was closed as a precaution. This impaired operation.

Remediation of the spiral drift

In the process of remediating the spiral drift, 170 metres of new drift were constructed. The salt produced in this process was used as additive to the special concrete with which the mine is stabilised. The drift sections that could not be remediated any more were backfilled. This required about 3,000 cubic metres of concrete.