Access can be gained by vertical shafts, declines (also called drifts, slopes or ramps) or horizontal adits. The chosen method depends on topography, reserve shape, reserve size and depth, production rate and custom and practice.
Mine planning options relating to surface access into an underground mine must be very carefully considered, correct choices are critical to success and require large capital expenditure at the most sensitive early DCF stage. Underground mines require at least two means of egress, for ventilation and for emergency evacuation in the case of failure of one of them. In the UK this legal requirement was subsequent to an accident at a coal mine in 1862 - Hartley Colliery, Northumberland.