Haulage is the moving of men, supplies, ore and waste.

 In mines of small output, hauling is done on several levels, tonnage handled on each level is small, and light equipment is used. 

In mines of high output, a main haulage level is used and all the ore is dropped to the haulage level via ore passes.

The selection of a haulage system depends on cost and cost of operation during the life of the mine to obtain the lowest, unit cost per ton hauled.