A 47-year-old man has died at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, after an underground rock fall.

Police were called to the site near Roxby Downs, in the state’s far north, just before half-past six this morning.

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Aaron Cartledge, state secretary of the CFMEU, said it was a sad day for the industry.

“Our thoughts go out to the family. It’s an absolute tragedy when their loved one goes off to work and doesn’t return home,” he said.

“There’s got to be a thorough investigation. It’s only from that, that we can put systems in place to avoid future events like this.

“We’ve seen too many workers dying when they go to work and it really does affect us, it hurts the family and it hurts those workmates.”

Production at the mine has now stopped while the incident is investigated.

In a statement, BHP Billiton said emergency response procedures had been activated and the company was currently directing all of its efforts to ensuring the safety of workers in the area.

It has not provided any other information at this time.

SA Police are preparing a report for the State Coroner.