THE body of a miner who had been trapped underground since Sunday in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, has been recovered.

The 26-year-old Palabora Mining Company Limited employee's body was found on Monday afternoon.

The man was with a colleague when there was a rockfall. The two were trapped underground at about 2.30am on Sunday while carrying out repairs on a crusher.

The other miner was rescued on Sunday afternoon and is recovering at the Tzaneen Medi-Clinic.

Company spokesman Keith Mathole said they were devastated by the employee's death. Mathole added that both men's families had requested that their names not be released to the media.

A spokesman for the Tzaneen Medi-Clinic said the rescued miner was doing well "though he was in a bit of pain after the operation he had undergone".

An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "The man is still suffering from shock after undergoing such a traumatic experience."

Mathole said: "The rescue operation had continued with the hope of finding the second man alive, but unfortunately when the rescue team brought him to the surface at about 4pm on Monday, he was dead."

Production at the mine has been suspended until further notice.

"The dead employee's mother and brother have been on site since Monday.

"Our people are with the family of the dead man. We also wish the injured miner a speedy recovery," he said.

Mathole said the latest death brought to two the number of fatalities at the company in the last 10 years. The last fatality at the mine, he said, happened in March 2009.

- frankm@sowetan.co.za