In underground mining, which method is horizontal to extract ores?

• A. Drift
• B. Drill
• C. Shaft
• D. Open pit

Answer: (A)

In underground mining, the method that creates a horizontal path to reach and extract ore is the drift. A drift is a horizontal tunnel driven to follow the ore body, providing working space, ventilation, and access along the length of the deposit. This horizontal approach is ideal when the ore seam extends laterally and can be mined level by level without moving vertically.

The other options don’t fit the horizontal extraction idea: a shaft is a vertical opening from the surface to underground; open pit is a surface mining method; and drilling is a technique used to place blast holes or sample the ore rather than the primary extraction method.