There has been an outpouring of grief over the tragic death of drill and blast operator David Armstrong at an iron ore mine in Western Australia.

Mr Armstrong, 25, died on Thursday at Fortescue Metal’s Solomon Hub in the Pilbara after the ground collapsed.

“I’ll love you until the end of time,” his brother Coen posted on social media.

“A young man taken way too soon,” a friend posted.

Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines said she was thinking of the dead man’s family, friends and colleagues.

“This is a very sad day for Fortescue and all our thoughts are with his family as we provide our full support to them at this very difficult time,” she said.

Fortescue has closed the site and mine safety inspectors from WA’s Department of Mines have travelled from Perth to investigate.

The Minerals Council of Australia is “deeply saddened” by Mr Armstrong’s death.

“The minerals industry’s highest value and priority is the safety and health of its workforce,” it said in a statement.

Fortescue is an iron ore mining giant owned by billionaire Andrew Forrest.

The Solomon site includes the Firetail, Kings Valley and Queens Valley mines and is one of several Fortescue sites in the Pilbara.

WA Police are preparing a report for the coroner.