More than 20 tourists trapped underground in a Colorado gold mine after a lift malfunction left one dead have been rescued.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis confirmed a second group had been brought to safety late on Thursday (local time).

“I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident,” he posted on X, adding his thanks for all those involved in the rescue.

It follows the earlier rescue of 11 people from deep in the mine, where they had been trapped for hours.

Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said the lift that takes tourists down into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, near the town of Cripple Creek, had suffered a mechanical issue about 150 metres beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants”.

One person was killed.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1100 people in the Rocky Mountains south-west of Colorado Springs.

The 300-metre-deep mine dates from the 1800s but has been closed to commercial mining since 1961. It now operates tours, telling visitors they can learn about mining in the “Old West”.

Mikesell said the lift accident was reported about noon on Thursday (local time).

The tourist group is believed to have also included two children.

Mikesell said four people had suffered minor injuries. He did not elaborate on how they were injured or why the lift had broken down.

He also declined to identify the person who had died.

Mikesell said authorities were prepared to rescue the trapped visitors by rope if necessary. But they were hoping to reinstate the lift system.

One way or another, the group was expected to be safely back above ground later on Thursday.

“We want to inspect [the lift system], make sure it’s safe before bringing them back up with it,” he said.

“We do have a plan B and a plan C already set in place with rescue officers.”

I am relieved that 12 of the people trapped in the Mollie Kathleen Mine have been safely rescued. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individual lost in this incident. I thank Teller County and Sheriff Mikesell and his team, as well as the other law… pic.twitter.com/t1wHa9k7w3

— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) October 11, 2024

The state was sending a lift expert to the scene.

Authorities had communicated with the trapped group by radio, but they had not been told the extent of the issue with the lift, Mikesell said.

“That’s because I want to keep people calm,” he said.

Those trapped the longest faces temperatures as low as 10 degrees. They had water, blankets and chairs, but there were not toilets.

Among those trapped was a member of the family mining operation who had mine rescue experience, Mikesell said.

The lift ride down into the mine typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 150 metres a minute, according to the mine’s website.

Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s but did not say what had happened.

Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the site and transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records weren’t immediately available online.

-with AAP