Authorities in Western Australia are investigating the second death in the state's mines within 72 hours, with a man killed at a Pilbara gold mine on Thursday.
Capricorn Metals confirmed to the ASX that a "significant incident" at its Karlawinda Gold Mine, 65km south east of Newman, had resulted in the death of a contractor earlier on Thursday.
"Everyone at Capricorn is shocked and saddened by the fatality at the Karlawinda mine site this morning," Capricorn Executive Chairman Mark Clark said in the statement.
"Our deepest thought and condolences go out to the MACA [contractor] employees family, friends and colleagues."
In a separate market statement, MACA chief executive David Greig said the company was deeply saddened by the news of the fatality.
"We will be providing support to our colleague's family and our teams as we all work through this tragic event," Mr Greig said.
He said senior staff would be travelling to the site to support the families and co-workers of the people involved in the incident.
Mines safety inspectors are travelling to the site, with WA Police also on the scene.
Mr Clark said operations at the mine had been suspended, with Karlawinda's emergency response team also activated.
The fatality comes after the death of a worker at the Hamlet underground mine in the Goldfields on Tuesday.
In a statement, WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said any workplace-related death was a tragedy, and offered condolences to the worker's friends, family and co-workers.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
'Shocking incident'
Deputy Premier Roger Cook said the week's events highlighted the critical nature of workplace safety.
"This really goes to show just how important it is that occupational health and safety is uppermost in everyone's minds when we go into the workplace," Mr Cook said.
"Any death in the workplace, and particularly on a mine site, is obviously a shocking incident and our hearts go out to all the family, friends and colleagues of this particular worker."
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Mick Buchan said his thoughts were with the person's family.
"It's tragic and my condolences go to the family," he said.
"It's the second this week. Any unsafe acts should be reported to the union."
