Johannesburg - Nine miners died in an accident at a South African gold mine, the chief inspector of mines said Thursday.

Thabo Gazi told SAPA news agency that the men died at the Gold Fields South Deep mine near Randfontein in Gauteng. It was believed the miners were killed when the rope on a cage carrying them down a mine shaft snapped.

An inspector was on site investigating the incident.

Gold Fields spokesman Reidwaan Wookay confirmed that an accident had occurred but gave no further details.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) called for "heads to roll" at Gold Fields and claimed that 14 workers have died there this week. (dpa)