Trapped miners found alive

HOBART - Three mineworkers have escaped uninjured after several terrifying hours trapped in a burning mineshaft in Tasmania's north west.


A Tasmania Police spokeswoman confirmed about noon local time (2pm NZT) the trio had been located in the Avebury nickel mine on Trial Harbour Road, 12km west of Zeehan.


Rescue attempts began at 7.45am when a fellow worker noticed smoke coming from a shaft.


A burning vehicle was later located about 400 metres into the 1.2km mine tunnel.


The workers, believed to be from Zeehan, sought refuge in an emergency shelter about 800 metres from the mine's entrance.


Tasmania Police Inspector Mark Beech-Jones said paramedics had examined the miners and found they were safe and uninjured.


He said they went into the mine at 7pm local time yesterday and last communication was made at 2.15am today.


Insp Beech-Jones said initial indications were the trio would not be taken to hospital.


After learning the workers had been rescued, Allegiance Mining chairman Tony Howland-Rose said trading in the company's shares had been suspended but would resume as soon as possible.


Before the halt, Allegiance shares were selling at 14.5 cents.


Sydney-based Allegiance Mining has had interests in nickel sulphide mining in Tasmania since 1997 when significant deposits were discovered at Avebury and Melba Flats in the state's west.


In 2003, the Tasmanian government granted the company a lease to establish the Avebury mine.


- AAP