"Underground drivers are in a niche market"
But his truly extraordinary work takes place 700 metres underground. "Driving underground is a niche market," says Patrick. "We’re at the Werk Werra plant, operated by Kali & Salz Minerals & Agriculture GmbH. The road network in the mine is as extensive as the greater Munich area – only underground." The conditions there are extreme: "Temperatures are up to 40 degrees. And it's always dark," says the driver. "Not like when you're outside at night, but as dark as in a closed room without windows."
The vehicles in the mine are custom-built on an MAN chassis – with very low cabs. Driving in the tunnels poses special challenges after all: "The adits are only 16 metres wide and just under two metres high. It's very restrictive," says Patrick. "You also have no run-off area. When the face – in mining we say 'stope end’ – comes, that's it."
After more than 20 years, his journey into the depths has become part of everyday working life. "The lift drops the 700 metres in 80 seconds, it's like free falling into the earth," reports Patrick. "If you look up from below, you can see daylight – as small as a pin head. That's when you first realise the mass that’s hanging over you."