An ore pass or chute is a vertical or slightly inclined passageway that is used for the transfer of ore to the ore bin during underground mining. These passage ways are created for efficiency; gravity is used to move the ore through them to the desired location so it can be stored in holding bins or loaded into skips, trucks or onto conveyor belts.

Figure: Both chutes and orepasses are used to collect material in underground mines at a central point to optimize movement and production of ore.