A search and rescue operation coordinated by the Cameroon, Gabonese and Congolese authorities, with support from Australian, Canadian and United States foreign officials, is underway in the west African jungle.

Citing a Cameroonian military official, Dow Jones Newswires reported that the plane might have crashed near the town of Djoum in the country.

The regional town is about 200 kilometres southeast of where the plane took off from Yaounde, on route to Yangadou in the Congo.

In a statement, the iron ore company confirmed that nine passengers, predominantly Sundance board members, were on board the flight and included chairman Geoff Wedlock and managing director and chief executive officer Don Lewis.

Wedlock is also chairman and director of Gindalbie Metals, Gladiator Resources and Jupiter Mines.

Mining magnate and Sundance non-executive director Ken Talbot was also confirmed on the flight. Talbot's investment company, Talbot Group, is Sundance's largest shareholder with a 16% ownership stake.

Among the others confirmed on the flight were non executive directors Craig Oliver, who is also finance director at Western Areas, John Jones, who is also general manager of HWE Mining, and company secretary John Carr-Gregg.

The board members were headed to the company’s flagship Malbalam iron ore project in Cameroon and the Congo when the plane went missing.

A comprehensive multinational air and ground search effort began at 5pm Western Standard Time on Sunday.

Sundance shares are in a trading halt.

A further update will be provided once more information becomes available.