'Likelihood of survival low' for man buried in mine collapse

Emergency services are yet to recover a man who was buried more than 24 hours ago, after a mine collapsed in the Northern Territory.

The incident occurred at 2.40pm on Saturday afternoon, at Bootu Creek Mine, which is 110 kilometres north of Tennant Creek. 

In a statement, Northern Territory Police said a wall at the site had failed, and a 59-year-old employee had been "engulfed under a significant volume of soil and rock".

Superintendent Chris Board said emergency services are working extensively to locate the man, however, the remoteness and nature of the area have provided challenges.

"The instability of the site remains very real, which has delayed any excavation at this time," he said. 

"Sadly, due to the nature of the collapse, the information thus far indicates the likelihood of survival is low." 

When pressed on whether investigators understood what had caused the site to collapse, Supt Board would not speculate. 

"At this stage, it's a volatile and unsafe situation," he said. 

"We're waiting on experts to provide advice in relation to this before any excavation can occur."

Members from WorkSafe and the Department of Primary Industries and Resources will now work with police in a joint investigation. 

"We're making all efforts to be able to get in," Supt Board said. 

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, the workers, and also emergency services responding to this incident."

The employee's family have been notified. 

The mining company, OM Holdings, has been contacted for comment. 

The Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby, said the incident is an "absolute tragedy".

"I directed that an Instruction be issued by the department to OM (Manganese) Ltd, requiring them to cease in-pit operations immediately," he said.