TWO men fell 30 metres to their death yesterday at Copper Mines of Tasmania at Queenstown.
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Alistair Michael Lucas, 25, and Craig Nigel Gleeson, 45, died as a result of injuries sustained in the fall.
Both men, employees of CMT and Queenstown residents, were working on the maintenance crew.
Mr Gleeson and Mr Lucas were heavily involved in the community, and both played with the Queenstown Football Club in the Darwin Football Association.
The pair were working on level 18 of the mine when the incident took place.
It is unknown what work they were undertaking at the time.
Queenstown police Inspector Matthew Richman said although investigations were continuing, it was believed the pair fell 20-30 metres down the shaft.
The mine operation was suspended but operators were hopeful it would restart on day shift today.
One man died underground, while the other was brought up to the surface where resuscitation attempts failed.
The body of the man in the mine stayed underground for several hours before it was recovered and investigations were completed.
Inspector Richman said police, Workplace Standards, mine investigators and the coroner worked throughout the day.
A WorkSafe Tasmania spokesman said they were notified of a possible incident at 10am.
``Shortly after 10am [Monday] WorkSafe Tasmania was notified that two men appeared to be missing while working in the shaft at Copper Mines of Tasmania mine at Queenstown,'' the spokesman said.
``Investigations into the incident are continuing, with WorkSafe Tasmania inspectors and police forensics officers attending the scene.''
Inspector Richman said more details would be available today.