I am going to talk briefly on the general "atmosphere" of this mine. First off, you should know that many mines are different, but all of them have some of the same interesting aspects to them.
1. Most importantly, all underground mines are DARK! There is not a darkness any darker than that of being underground without a light. Very simply, there is no ambient light, therefore your eyes will not adjust, and light enhancement devices will be worthless pieces of metal. When operating underground, it is best to keep the light (flashlight or headlamp) focused on where you are walking. This does not allow much looking around. Only fairly experienced underground workers are capable of walking while looking around, and even then, they sometimes stumble. Light from flashlights and headlamps doesn't show very much, basically a cone of light that can reach out, if you're lucky, 20 meters or so. Vehicle headlights work much better, but then you have to be driving your vehicle around all over.
2. That brings us to the second point. When you are underground, sound is amplified dramatically. People unaccustomed to the difference will notice tiny sounds that seem a lot louder than they are. A small rock, being dislodged some 30 meters away, and dropping to the tunnel floor, will make a noise that can be heard. This rock could be no bigger than a person's hand. Water trickling down the rib (that's a term used for the walls of a tunnel) tend to make audible noise as well. Now what really gets a person is the first time a LOUD noise is made. Normal talking will be slightly louder, but anyone talking can be heard from quite a distance (about 100 meters or more) if the listener is quiet. A vehicle engine or gunfire, however, will be close to defeaning. The closer the loud noise is to a person, the louder it becomes. Vehicle engines become so loud that a person cannot shout over them. Gunfire would be intensely loud, as it is right near a person. Without proper hearing protection, being near vehicles for a while, or in a substained gunfight, can leave a ringing in a person's ears for a while, hampering further hearing attempts when it is quiet again.
3. Mines can be both wet and dry inside. Some areas may consist of small underground rivulets and have water all over the floor, making progress either slow down, or become very wet. Sometimes, this water mixes with dirt that is used for the roads underground, and makes mud. This mud seems extra gooey, and has a tendency to suck boots off, if a person steps into a deep spot and then pulls his foot out in a hurry. A general working back and forth is best when stepping into deep mud, allowing the boot to work free, and then pulling it out. Rushing this doesn't help, and usually end us with an exposed sock above the mud and no way to put it back in the boot without adding a lot of extra mud as well. Needless to say, if a person gets stuck in the mud when they are attempting to leave in a hurry, they will soon not have any boots on their feet.
The dry areas of the mine lead to a LOT of dust. If you've ever been in a room when a vacuum cleaner broke it's bag and spewed dust all over, you haven't yet experience the amount of dust that you get while underground in a dry area. Just walking in this dry area creates puffs of dust. Driving a vehicle through will create a sizable dust cloud that cuts visibility down to about 3 meters. Detontating any explosives (ie. grenades or plastic explosives) will create a concussive blast the whips up a flurry of dust!! During this time of dust, visibility is about 1/2 a meter. Breathing also will be difficult for anyone not used to that amount of dust. Coughing usually ensues. Sometimes, this much dust can cause someone to panic, as vision is all but gone, and you get the feeling of being suffocated.
There is more information to come, so keep checking back. I've just got to collect a little more information on particular things.
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