A man is dead and another is seriously injured in a machinery accident at Glencore's Oaky Creek coal mine in central Queensland

A man in his 30s has died and a man in his 20s is clinging to life after suffering injuries in a “machinery accident” at a Queensland coal mine.

The elderly man died instantly from head injuries at the Oaky Creek coal mine, southeast of Tieri in central Queensland, about 4.35pm on Wednesday.

According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, the other man suffered life-threatening head, arm and leg injuries in the “machinery incident”.

Catch up on what's new with the 7NEWS app: download it today

He was flown to Rockhampton Hospital.

The Courier Mail reports that the men may have been hit by a broken cable.

The facility is operated by Glencore, which said the tragedy occurred while the men were carrying out “maintenance work”.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and colleagues of both workers,” said Glencore’s Ian Cribb.

“This is devastating for our entire workforce at Oaky Creek, and we are providing supportive services and counseling.”

Mining safety regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is investigating.

“We have begun an investigation into an incident that occurred at the Oaky Creek coal mine yesterday afternoon, in which two workers were injured,” RSHQ managing director Rob Djukic said Thursday morning.

“Sadly, a coal mine worker has died as a result of these injuries. The other employee is receiving medical treatment.

“Our thoughts are with the colleagues, friends and families of both workers at this time.

“A RSHQ coal inspector has issued instructions to isolate the accident scene during our investigation.

It is the latest in a series of serious mining incidents in Queensland, with two men killed within weeks at QCoal's Byerwen mine in August and a 27-year-old at BMA's Saraji coal mine in Dysart in January.