Two miners reported missing at Dugald River mine site have been confirmed dead.

Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis were operating a light utility vehicle near a stope  – a large, cavernous space where ore is extracted – when the ground gave way, causing the men to plummet into a void, on Wednesday morning.

Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell said, "This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday."

A drilling rig behind the utility also fell into the void, but the operator was able to escape and was later rescued.

An emergency call was received by the mine at 8:45am on Wednesday and the mine's emergency procedures were activated.

Drones were used to investigate the stability of the site before rescue crews were deployed to start removing debris near the fallen utility on Thursday afternoon.

More to come.