Winze

A winze is a minor connection between different levels in a mine.

When worked upwards from a lower level it is usually called a raise; when sunk downward from a higher level it may be called a sump.

The top of a winze is located underground and it is not equipped with winding gear.

This is in contrast to a shaft, which is a deeper connection between levels and does have winding gear, whether the top of the excavation is located on the surface or underground.

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