Mponeng, Gold mine in Gauteng, South Africa.
Mponeng is a gold mine in Gauteng, South Africa, that reaches down more than 4 kilometers below ground level. The operation includes miles of tunnels and elevator shafts that require cooling systems to control temperatures.
Operations began in 1987 under the name Western Deep Levels No1 Shaft to tap deeper gold deposits. In 1999, AngloGold Ashanti took over management and renamed the facility Mponeng.
The shaft has supported families in the region for decades, with crews working around the clock in rotating shifts. Miners wear protective gear and pass through strict safety checks before descending into the depths.
The facility is not open to the public and only authorized personnel can access it. Visitors interested in gold mining can find information about extraction techniques and history at nearby museums.
Researchers discovered the bacterium Desulforudis audaxviator in the lowest levels, which can survive without light or contact with the surface. This finding changed understanding of where life can exist.
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