Mponeng gold mine runs at a staggering depth of 3,891 metres down and 2,062 metres below sea level, (Image: Getty)
Running at a staggering depth of 3,891 metres down and 2,062 metres below sea level, a colossal mine in is the deepest and richest gold mine in the world.
Mponeng gold mine began producing gold back in 1986 and was previously known as Western Deep Levels No1 Shaft.
Owned by Harmony Gold Mining, this underground mine produced an estimated 239.49 thousand ounces of gold in 2023.
Mponeng gold mine has been described as being one of the most substantial gold mines in the world in terms of production and magnitude, reaching over 2.5 miles below the surface.
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Mponeng gold mine is located in Gauteng, South Africa and is the deepest level shaft in the world (Image: Getty)
Located in Gauteng, , the site is a testament to the pinnacle of mining-related engineering.
The mine is so deep that a journey from the surface to its deepest point takes over an hour.
Mponeng mine’s tunnel walls are made of shotcrete that is supported with steel rebar.
Interestingly, its mesh netting, which further supports the tunnel’s integrity, makes use of artificial diamonds.
The Mponeng gold mine’s vertical depth is so deep it is roughly half the vertical distance Mount Everest extends upwards.
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Miners reaching the bottom of this mine endure a journey that takes up to one hour long (Image: Getty)
At such staggering depth, Mponeng takes the title of world’s deepest mine from ground level and further aims to deepen the mine beyond 2.4 miles in order to reach more reserves.
When travelling down this mine a person will experience drastic changes in temperatures due to the increased proximity to the mantle.
At the lowest levels of the mine, the rock can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
To put that heat in perspective, in order to cook an egg the minimum temperature required is 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
A system was created within this mine which pumps ice down the length of the shaft, with internal insulation helping to cool the tunnel air.
Elevators are used within the mine to transfer people to the lowest reaches of the mine, requiring on-foot hiking thereafter.
These elevators are sufficiently large enough in order to transport the more than 4,000 miners who work there and their accompanying weight.
The mine is home to several communities that support a large number of people, including entire towns and cities.