Mining Method at Aketekyieso Youth Cooperative Society
Smart Micky Limited operates an underground mine at Aketekyieso using decline access, multi-level development, and shrinkage stoping — with rock waste stockpiled for future reclamation.
Underground Access
Mine Access & Development
The underground mine is accessed through a decline measuring 2.4m by 2.4m at a designed slope inclination. Mining is carried out in levels spaced at a vertical distance of approximately thirty metres.
Decline development is anticipated to reach 500m. Rock waste extracted during development is hauled to the surface and stockpiled for future reclamation. Development has currently reached level five.
Lateral development and raises are being excavated at levels 2, 3, and 4. The raises serve production, ventilation, and emergency exit purposes — ensuring the mine remains productive, breathable, and safe for every worker underground.
2.4m × 2.4m
Decline Dimensions
500m
Anticipated Decline Length
Level 5
Current Development
~30m
Vertical Level Spacing
60%
Ore Retained as Stope Support
June 2026
Stope Preparation Start
Extraction Method
Shrinkage Mining Method
The ore will be mined using the shrinkage stoping method, where 60% of broken ore is left in the stope to serve as support and a drilling platform.
An initial sill pillar is created to serve as the lower-level support pillar. Ore is demarcated in blocks by excavating lateral development, raises to link one level to the next, finger raises, and boxholes to define each ore block.
After a stope is mined up to the crown pillar of the next upper level, the 60% of ore left in the stopes as support and drilling platform is retrieved and hauled to the surface.
Stope preparation drives and cross cuts are scheduled to commence in June 2026.
Vertical Development
Raise Development
Production Raises
Vertical openings that support ore extraction and connect stopes across working levels.
Ventilation Raises
Dedicated raises to maintain airflow and safe working conditions underground.
Emergency Exit Raises
Secondary egress routes that protect workers in the event of an incident underground.
On-Site Equipment
Equipment & Haulage
Jackhammer drilling machines are used for both lateral and vertical excavations. A hand-held scoop is used to drag blasted rock onto a plate, which is then dumped into a two-ton bucket attached to a winch.
Material is pulled to the surface by means of a winch installed at surface level — a practical haulage arrangement suited to the scale of small-scale underground operations.
Development Cycle
01
Drilling
Jackhammer drilling machines prepare both lateral and vertical excavations.
02
Blasting
Controlled blasting breaks rock for development drives, raises, and stopes.
03
Cleaning
Blasted material is cleared using hand-held scoops and hauled to surface.
04
Reinforcement
Roof and wall support is installed as and when necessary for safe working.
Downstream
Ore Processing
The mine does not intend to process ore obtained at the site. Arrangements will be made with an external processing company to process the ore under an agreed contract — allowing Smart Micky to focus on safe, efficient extraction while partnering with specialists for downstream processing.
