SUDBURY, Ont. - Two men have died in an accident at a mine in northern Ontario.

First Nickel Inc. says the two drillers -- contractors working for Taurus Drilling Services -- were underground Tuesday at the Lockerby Mine near Sudbury, Ont., when the incident occurred.

First Nickel president and CEO Thomas Boehlert identified the men as Marc Methe, 34, and 49-year-old Norm Bissaillon.

Boehlert says Bissaillon was a dedicated and experienced underground miner with over 20 years of experience, while Methe had been with Taurus for about four years.

First Nickel said in a statement that "a fall of ground, preceded by (seismic) activity" is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

Ministry of Labour spokesman Bruce Skeaff confirmed the deaths and said the ministry was investigating but had no further details.