(CNN) -- Australian mining magnate Ken Talbot is among nine passengers in a plane reported missing after it took off from Cameroon en route to the Republic of the Congo, his company said Sunday.

Most of the passengers aboard the chartered flight were employees of Australian mining company Sundance Resources, including some executives.

Talbot, 59, is the director of Sundance, said Brian Thornton, a spokesman for Talbot Group.

The plane had taken off from Yaounde on Saturday. It was reported missing after it failed to land in Yangadou in the Republic of Congo.

The group was visiting Sundance's iron ore project in Cameroon and Congo, according to the company.

"The families of the missing have been notified and are being supported during this deeply distressing time," the company said.

A search was under way between the takeoff point and the intended destination. Military forces in Congo and Cameroon were helping in the search, the company said.