UP to 15 miners were sacked from their high-paying jobs in an Australian gold mine after a "Harlem Shake" performance underground was considered a safety hazard.

A YouTube video has appeared showing some of the miners wearing safety gear during the performance at the Agnew Gold Mine.

The West Australian newspaper has reported that up to 15 miners have been sacked for health and safety reasons.

The newspaper quoted a dismissal letter from mine owner Barminco which described the stunt as a breach of its “core values of safety, integrity and excellence."

Online Editors