Mine investigation begins after 'devastating' fatality

A miner is dead and six others injured after two pieces of machinery collided underground in a central Queensland coal mine.

Paramedics were called to the site after an incident involving a grader and personnel carrier in Moranbah north mine's access drift about 4.15pm on Wednesday.

The driver of the grader received immediate treatment and was taken to hospital but has since died, a statement from the mine's operator, Anglo American, said on Wednesday night.

Injuries include head, neck and facial injuries with four people treated for possible spinal injuries.

Two have been taken to Mackay for further treatment.

In a statement today, Anglo American said all four had been released from hospital and were recovering.

The cause of the incident is not clear and an investigation will be carried out, Anglo American said.

"Our focus is on continuing to respond to the emergency situation, including the treatment and care of injured employees and supporting the affected families and colleagues," it said.

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of one of our employees in the incident that occurred yesterday at Moranbah North," Anglo American’s executive head of underground operations, Glen Britton, said.

“We are working with the relevant authorities to understand how this incident occurred.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of our employee who passed away yesterday and we are doing everything we can to support them and our colleagues affected by this incident.

“Moranbah North will not recommence production until operations can be safely resumed.”

The incident has been referred to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.

In today's statement, Anglo American said the mines inspectorate investigation was underway.

"Production remains in shutdown and will not recommence until the incident site has been released by the department and the mine can safely resume operation," the statement said.

According to Anglo American's website, the mine began operating in 1998.

It's hard coking coal is mainly for export to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil and Europe.

The mine employs more than 600 people, and the coal seam is estimated to last 15 years.

-with AAP