Hard-rock mining in Rossland was gruelling work. The miners had to dig and drill deep into the earth, often descending over 1000 feet (305 metres) into the ground. To reach these depths, hoist systems became essential, as they allowed miners and their equipment to be lowered into the shafts and raised back up with loads of ore. While this method was far more effective than earlier ones, such as ladders or buckets, it still carried significant risks.