mineshaft (noun)

1. In the latest issue of the superhero comics, the villain escapes through a secret mineshaft.

2. The science fiction novel explores a futuristic world where mineshafts are used to extract rare minerals from distant planets.

3. During the gold rush in the 19th century, thousands of miners descended into mineshafts in search of precious metal.

4. In the anime series, the protagonist discovers an ancient mineshaft that leads to a hidden world filled with mystical creatures.