The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has criticised the working conditions of Ballarat Gold Mine after a man died in a rock collapse Wednesday night.

The AWU Victorian Secretary Ronnie Hayden claimed that the workers were performing a manual form of mining known as “air legging” when the collapse occurred, which is no longer a common mining practice.

“It’s devastating because yet we’ve lost another worker… even more devastating because this should have been avoided, and they should not have been doing that task in that mine,” he said.

The body of the 37-year-old was recovered from the mine Thursday morning by emergency services, Victoria Police said.

The Bruthen man and another 21-year-old miner became trapped under fallen rocks at 4:50pm on Wednesday night after the collapse occurred 500m underground and 3km from the mine entrance.

The 21-year-old was freed on Wednesday night and flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where he remains in a critical condition.

Over 25 other men were also in the mine at the time of the collapse but managed to take refuge in a safety pod.

Victory Minerals, the company that operates the mines, has been contacted about the union’s claim.

“Our absolute priority is supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families and loved ones, as we all come to terms with this tragic news,” Victory Minerals partner Rebecca Harrison said.

WorkSafe and police are investing the incident and are preparing a report for the coroner.

Photo: Ballarat Town Hall and Mount Warrenheip by Ed Dunens  is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.