The mine was under development with 77 miners digging tunnels as part of an infrastructure construction project when it became flooded on Monday morning, according to Xinhua.

The state-owned news service reported that 46 miners were brought to the surface while 12 miners were trapped about 189m underground and 19 others were trapped 289m underground.

One miner died while receiving first aid treatment.

The mine is aiming to produce 1.5 million tonnes of coal per annum and construction reportedly started in 2006.