Police have been told the woman had gone for a late-night walk before tripping and falling down the shaft.

Castlereagh Local Area Command, assisted by local State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, began an extensive search after the 26-year-old was reported missing from her home at Lightning Ridge on Friday.

There were serious concerns for her welfare as temperatures in the area exceeded 40 degrees.

About 10.20am Sunday, officers from Western Region Rescue Unit – using a police drone – located the woman eight metres down a mine shaft, NSW Police said.

“She was brought to the surface with the assistance of an officer using a pulley and harness, and provided water,” police said.

“The woman was taken to Lightning Ridge Hospital in a stable condition.”

NSW SES provided support with the land search for the two days.

Volunteers from Lightning Ridge SES unit worked in hot, dry and challenging conditions, SES local controller Brett Gaie said.

He said he was relieved to locate the woman at ground level, especially with the many mine shafts in the search area.

He extended thanks to the land search teams involved.

Without the assistance of dedicated, professional and committed volunteers from the local community the outcome could have been very different, he said.

It was another great example of NSW SES volunteers saving lives and protecting communities, he said.