The hopper is a usually curved metal shutter operated by a hydraulic piston which allows it to rotate and open or close the shaft. It is located at the base of the shaft used to bring down the ore connecting the different mining levels. The hopper opens and allows the mineral to fall into the wagon located just below; once filled the wagon is towed outside the mine and then the ore is carried to the first processing plant and then to the foundries.
The Hopper
A curvilinear metal shutter was located at the base of the casting shaft, connecting the extraction levels and facilitating the transport of the ore. It opens to allow the ore to fall into the carts to be carried outside.
