Friday, 25th August 2006 (3403 views)

AngloGold Ashanti are planning to dig "the deepest man-made hole in the world".

Speaking to Mining Weekly, the general manager of the company's TauTona mine, Frank Russo-Bello, said that a 1.2 billion rand budget had been approved for a project to mine to a depth of 3,902 metres below ground. The deepest existing mine is Savuka, which reaches down 3,777 metres.

"By July 15, 2008, we should be able to celebrate the unveiling of a new Guinness Book of Records plaque at a depth of 3,778 metres below datum," said Mr Russo-Bello.

"This will be midway between 123 and 125 levels. That plaque will bear the words, 'The deepest man-made hole in the world'".

As well as representing an astonishing technological achievement, the deepened hole will also allow for the mining of 72 more tonnes of gold.

Workers will travel to the bottom by way of a gondola with a driver and fail-safe brakes.

 

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