Crossword Genius

A hush, back in the mine (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shaft

'mine' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a hush back' is the wordplay.
'a hush' becomes 'sh'.
'back' becomes 'aft' ('aft' is associated in meaning with 'back'**).
'sh'+'aft'='SHAFT'

'in the' is the link.

(Other definitions for shaft that I've seen before include "Body of an arrow" , "Vertical passage of mine" , "Ray (of sunlight)" , "A little light" , "Long slender part or deep vertical opening" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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