Abstract: A method for extracting mineral deposits in a mineral reserve, a portion being accessible from a sloping surface and the remaining portion being inaccessible, is disclosed. The sloping surface is mined to create a bench and highwall for providing access to the mineral reserve around the accessible portion. Then, a surface is formed in the highwall to create an insertion highwall between an endwall extending from the insertion highwall and the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. A starter entry is created for cutting into the mineral reserve across the entire length of the insertion highwall from the endwall to the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. Roof supports are advanced into the starter entry with spoil added to form a starter passage from the endwall to the inaccessible portion of the mineral reserve. Shortwall or longwall mining techniques are then used to mine the mineral reserve along the starter passage.