Before the Old Main Shaft was built the levels of the Old Mines were connected by a series of traverses, steep tunnel switchbacks combined with ladders and rickety wooden stairs. All ore was carried on the backs of miners as they moved through these traverse
The Kunegunda traverse was one of the principle such routes. After the Old Shaft was completed the traverse was still maintained mostly as a way for miners to move between floors without interrupting the flow of ore up the shaft.