Operations have been suspended at a central Queensland coal mine after a worker died when a wall collapsed.

Emergency crews spent hours trying to reach the man, who was reportedly operating a digger at the time of the collapse about 1pm on Wednesday.

He was pronounced dead at the Middlemount Coal Mine about 8pm, police said.

Middlemount Coal CEO Gerrie Jordaan says a full investigation was underway.

“Operations at Middlemount Mine have been suspended until further notice,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“The welfare of the family of the deceased and the safety of our people are our highest priorities.”

-AAP