Australian mining execs missing in Africa

Six Australian mining executives are among nine people missing in west Africa after their chartered plane failed to arrive at its destination.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says its high commission in Nigeria is in "close contact" with authorities in Cameroon, from where the plane took off.

It was travelling from Yaounde in Cameroon to Yangadou in Congo.

Most of those on board the plane are connected to the iron ore miner Sundance Resources, a West Australian-based company listed on the ASX.

A statement from the company said directors had been in Cameroon during the past few days speaking with officials about its promising Mbalam project.

"Sundance Resources regrets to advise that an aircraft chartered by the company has been reported missing after it failed to reach its destination on Saturday, June 19," it said.

"The families of the missing have been notified and are being supported during this deeply distressing time," Sundance said.

Sundance said an extensive search was underway.

"A comprehensive air and ground search ... will commence at first daylight local time on Sunday.

"A Congolese aircraft will be involved in the search."

Sundance's chief focus is its Mbalam ore project in Cameroon, potentially worth billions over its lifetime.

DFAT said the high commissioner designate to Abuja is in Cameroon and is "managing the government's response on the ground".

"One additional official from our high commission in Abuja, plus a specialist consular officer based in the Middle East, will travel to Cameroon as soon as is possible to support the government's response," a spokeswoman told AAP.

"The specialist consular officer will bring additional communications equipment to support the DFAT team on the ground in Cameroon."

- AAP