A method used in large deposits with a very strong roof. In this method, a deposit is divided by levels and on every level chutes are raised to the next one. Mining starts from the mouth of the chutes in such a way as to develop a funnel-shaped excavation (mill, glory) with slopes so steep that the broken ore falls into the chutes and thus to the cars on the lower level. A sufficiently strong pillar is left for protection at the higher level.