Underground mine development remains as one of the most important factors in cost effective mining. Various forms of continuous development have been proposed with some of the earliest conceived centuries ago. The bore, fire and muck approach remains, in the late 20th century, as the predominant method of underground development, despite intense efforts over the past decade or so to develop other systems.
Following a comprehensive analysis of development in the Australian mining industry, the reasons why the traditional development cycle has remained unchanged are identified and potential directions for the future are suggested.