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Two men, both electricians at the mine, suffered flash burns after a small explosion at the Illawarra Coal BHP Billiton West Cliff mine near Wollongong Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood the men were repairing a transformer which exploded when it was turned on.
Police said one worker received burns to the arms, chest, face and throat, while the second man suffered burns to the arms.
The injured men, believed to be aged 26 and 40, were treated onsite before being transferred to hospital.
A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Primary Industry said the wires arced causing a “flash” of flames.
The department said mining operations were suspended for about 12 hours but restarted earlier today.
A BHP spokesman confirmed an “underground incident” had occurred but declined to give further details.
He said West Cliff operations had restarted and the incident was being investigated.
