Australian gold mine collapses, 27 trapped - police

SYDNEY, Nov 18 (Reuters) A gold mine in Australia's southeastern state of Victoria has collapsed after a landslide, trapping 27 miners underground, police said today.

''There are 27 workers trapped at various levels, up to one kilometre. We have communication with one miner via mobile phone but it has very bad reception,'' said Carina O'Grady, a spokeswoman for Victoria's state police said.

No workers are believed to be injured and a mine rescue team has already been organised, O'Grady said.

The accident occured at Ballarat gold mine, owned by Lihir Gold Ltd and located about 100 kilometres west of Melbourne.

Lihir could not immediately be reached for comment.

REUTERS DKS BST0230