Headframe

Broken Hill, New South Wales

A headframe

mine shaft, built for hoisting machines, people, and materials.^[2]

Design

Modern headframes are made of steel, concrete, or a combination of both. Timber headframes are no longer used in

friction hoists; but a steel headframe can be used with a friction hoist for a shaft of smaller capacity and depth.^[1]

Steel headframes

A steel headframe is less expensive than a concrete headframe; the tallest steel headframe measures 87 m.

scrap metal.^[1]

A recently erected steel headgear in the Zambian copper belt town of Chililabombwe at the Konkola number 4 shaft has a total height of 81 metres to the top of the maintenance crane rail, with the centre-line of the head sheaves at 71 metres above the collar, making it the highest steel headgear in Africa.

Concrete headframes

The enclosed #2 Headframe (left) and the Hoist House (right) of the Quincy Mine

Concrete headframes require less maintenance and are less susceptible to corrosion than steel headframes. There is much less waste of concrete during construction of a concrete headframe than there is of steel in construction of a steel headframe. Concrete headframes provide an enclosure upon construction, whereas steel headframes require cladding and insulation to protect from weather. Concrete headframes are less susceptible to vibrations and sway less during high winds. Concrete is usually more readily available than steel (except in remote locations), and the price is predictable, whereas fabricated steel prices can be volatile.^[1]

Symbolism

mineshaft

Headframes have become prominent features in historic mining regions. The

Ruhr district of Germany and the South Wales Valleys in Britain are both examples of areas which are now associated with headframes due to the large number constructed to mine coal during the Industrial Revolution. Most of these headframes have now been removed although both regions have turned non-operating mines with headframes into national museums; the German Mining Museum in Bochum and Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon. Sporting teams from former coal mining regions such as Llanharan RFC and Cilfynydd RFC

have headframes included in their club badges.

In the

copper mining

heritage, and the headframe is easily the town's most iconic image.

In Yellowknife, Canada, the demolition of the Con Mine headframe has met significant public opposition.^[5] The headframe was the tallest structure in the Northwest Territories^[6] and is regarded by many in the town to be an important symbol of the region's mining heritage.