"The employee was treated by ambulance crews and doctors at the mine site before being taken to hospital by helicopter," a spokesman told Central Queensland News.

"Operations at the mine have stopped and an investigation into the incident is underway.”

The incident reportedly occurred before midday with the worker treated onsite after a doctor was reportedly dispatched from Emerald Hospital.

The injured man was brought to the surface with leg injuries.

Glencore did not provide additional detail on the incident to ICN.

“The mineworker injured in Friday’s incident at Glencore’s Oaky Creek North underground operations is recovering in Mackay Base Hospital after undergoing surgery on leg injuries on Friday night,” Glencore said late yesterday afternoon.

“An investigation into the incident is underway.”