Interest in mining narrow, vein-type ones has increased world-wide during the last few years despite the fact that prices of metals have not risen in proportion as production costs of mining, such as labour and energy._x000D_
In many mines, where narrow ones are mined, the mining technique and equipment used have been poorly mechanised. The mining methods have been cut-and-fill or shrinkage stoping. Pneumatic jack-legs have been used for drilling and slushers have been used for loading._x000D_
The methods that have been used can be called the 'first-generation' methods._x000D_
Work has been very hard for miners. It has been dangerous and exhausting._x000D_
Production volumes of mines, and a s a result of that, also profits have been low.