The families of the 26 miners killed in a tin ore mine accident in central China on Thursday could each receive up to 350,000 yuan (US$51,470) in compensation, a mine company executive said Friday.

Yang Yilun, head of publicity with Shanxing Antimony Industry Co. Ltd., a publicly owned enterprise of Hunan Province that runs the mine, said the families of 14 miners had reached an agreement with his company over the compensation terms.

Two elevator cages carrying 31 miners plunged 60 meters at the mine because of a brake failure at about 9:15 AM Thursday.

Nineteen miners died at the scene and seven others died later while undergoing emergency medical treatment at hospital, said Yang. Five others were seriously injured.

Seven emergency response groups were set up to handle the aftermath after the accident.

An official with the Hunan provincial bureau of work safety who insisted anonymity told Xinhua Friday that an investigation into a host of aspects, including operation of the equipment and daily maintenance, was being carried out in a tense manner to determine the true cause for the accident.

The investigation is overseen by another senior official sent to Lengshuijiang City by the State Administration of Work Safety late Thursday.

The injured were being treated at two hospitals.

"They suffered multiple injuries, including fractured legs, spines and shoulder bones, and we are trying our best to help those with leg fractures avoid amputation," said Liu Chaoxian, head of orthopaedics at the Tin Ore Mine Central Hospital of Lengshuijiang City, where four of the injured are being treated.

"Their conditions are stable, but they are still facing life-threatening dangers," said Liu.

Shanxing Antimony Industry Co. Ltd, is said to be the world's largest producer and supplier of antimony products. Antimony is used for making devices such as infrared detectors and diodes.

The company is capable of producing 40,000 tonnes of antimony, 40,000 tonnes of refined zinc, and 100,000 tonnes of chemical products.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2009)