Cut and fill is an underground mining method in which ore is extracted from a stope in horizontal slices, working from the bottom of the ore body upward, with the mined-out void subsequently backfilled with waste rock, cemented aggregate fill, or hydraulic fill before the next slice is mined. This method is widely used in gold mining operations where ore bodies are narrow, steeply dipping, irregular in shape, or located in weak or fractured ground conditions that preclude the use of open stoping methods. The fill material serves the dual purposes of providing a stable working platform for mining equipment and personnel in the next slice and providing ground support to prevent wall failure. Cut and fill mining allows selective extraction of high-grade ore zones while leaving low-grade or waste material in place, making it particularly suitable for high-value, complex gold deposits. The method is also employed in some diamond and base metal mining operations. While operationally flexible and capable of achieving good ore recovery and dilution control, cut and fill mining is relatively labor- and capital-intensive compared to bulk mining methods. The availability and cost of fill materials is a key consideration in method selection and economic viability.
