Cut and Fill Mining

Cut and fill mining is a method used to extract underground minerals by sequentially removing ore in deliberate sections. "Cut" involves excavating a horizontal slice of material, then "fill" refers to replacing the emptied space with waste or backfill material to support the surrounding rock. This technique allows miners to access ore safely while controlling ground stability, especially in steep or complex deposits. It is commonly used in narrow, irregular ore bodies, minimizing surface disturbance and ensuring efficient extraction while maintaining a stable underground environment.