Stopes except top slicing shall be provided with how many entrances, the stope manway and the fill raise manway for ventilation and escapeway?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Answer: (B)

Two entrances are required to ensure reliable ventilation and a safe escape path for stopes that are not top slicing. Having both a stope manway and a fill raise manway provides two independent routes: air can flow through the working from one entrance to the other, and personnel have an alternate means of egress if one path is blocked by rock, a fault zone, or a hazard. The stope manway offers access directly within the stope, while the fill raise manway creates a vertical passage that connects to a ventilated level or the surface, forming a second, distinct route for air and escape. Relying on a single entrance compromises air distribution and can trap workers in an emergency, so two entrances best meet the ventilation and escapeway needs.