5 years of the youngest mining shaft in KGHM's oldest mine – L-VI Rynarcice celebrates the anniversary of its modernisation

The L-VI Rynarcice mining shaft at the Lubin Mine is celebrating the 5th anniversary of its modernisation, which has significantly improved the safety and efficiency at this division of KGHM. The investment included the construction of a modern unloading chamber, a station with a waiting room for miners and new technical spaces. On the occasion of this anniversary, the division's management accompanied the crew on their morning descents, wishing everyone safe work.

A shaft with history and a future

The L-VI shaft, built in the 1970s, served in a key intake function for decades. The turning point came in 2019, when, after extensive modernisation, the shaft began a new era. Since then, it has supported the crew and mining at KGHM's oldest mine.

L-VI in figures

• Serves 3 mining sections: G-6, G-7 and G-8
• Employs 839 persons
• Reaches a depth of 964.3 metres – the deepest shaft in the Lubin mine
• Transported 340 machines during the last 5 years

Innovations that change work

The modernisation of L-VI took four years and was one of the largest undertakings in the mine's history. Modern logistics solutions, such as container transport, were used there, increasing safety and efficiency underground. New systems for handling and distributing materials directly to the mining and technical sections have made the mine faster and better organised.

In the L-VI shaft, a so-called 25-tonne payload cage is in operation, which provides for the descent of people and materials at travel speeds of up to 12 m/s. The large two-storey cage allows 150 workers to be transported down at one time. An additional advantage is the ability to transport mining machinery down into the mine.