Operations have been temporarily suspended after a shaft collapsed, trapping two rock drill operators.

JOHANNESBURG - Rescue operations are underway after a shaft collapsed at Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg trapping two rock drill operators.

Yesterday there was a massive fall of ground at Impala Platinum Shaft 1! 7 of 9 members managed to escape however 2 are still missing! #AMCU — Amcu (@_AMCU) May 18, 2016

Mine spokesperson Johan Theron says, "It's difficult to say at this stage whether they might be trapped behind the fall of ground, amongst the fall of ground or under the fall of ground. Ventilation won't be a problem but there might be injuries from the fallen rocks and that's why efforts are on trying to get there as quickly as possible."

Earlier this year, four miners died in an underground fire at the same mine.

Police said the four men died due to smoke inhalation.

The mine was evacuated, but the four men didn't not make it to the surface alive.