A worker has died at a construction site at an outback gold mine after a suspected winch failure, sparking police and workplace safety investigations.

Emergency authorities were notified of the 47-year-old’s workplace death at the Newmont company mine, in the Tanami desert about 540 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, on Wednesday afternoon.

Police attended and a crime scene was established, with members of the Coronial Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Examination Unit attending the site on Thursday.

NT WorkSafe said it was investigating the death. Initial inquiries indicated a potential winch failure of a winch during a lift had been a contributing factor.

All operations have been suspended at the mine, which employs about 1800 fly-in, fly-out workers.

Newmont confirmed the death on Thursday, saying “our thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues during this very difficult time”.

The company said it would fully assist the investigations into the man’s death.

-AAP