The Creighton No. 9 Shaft, going to a depth of 7,115 feet, will be the deepest single-lift shaft in North America. As of December 2, 1968, shaft sinking had progressed to the 6,600-foot depth . A description of the equipment used and the electrical-mechanical problems encountered in sinking a deep shaft is given. This shaft is currently being sunk to a depth of 7,115 feet. Some of the features of the sinking plant are a 6,500-hp double-drum hoist, a Blair stage hoist, special high-capacity mucking gear, a Galloway stage, high-tensile stage suspension ropes and 12-ton sinking buckets