The helicopter, operated by PT Nyaman Air and chartered by PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, a joint venture between Newcrest and PT Aneka Tambang, was en route from Manado, Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, to the Gosowong mine on the island of Halmahera before it crashed near Manado at about 2.30pm on Wednesday.

There were 10 people on board the helicopter: eight employees and contractors to the mine and two crew members.

Two Australian residents, two South Africans and six Indonesians were onboard.

Local authorities have advised that nine people on board have died. There is one survivor, an Indonesian national, who is critically injured.

He has been transported to a nearby hospital, however at this stage his name cannot be released.

Most of the families of the passengers and crew were contacted and advised about the incident on Wednesday night.

Newcrest confirmed families were being advised.

"Newcrest and Aneka Tambang express their deepest sadness and condolences to family, colleagues and friends of the passengers over this tragic event," Newcrest chief executive officer Greg Robinson said yesterday.

PTNHM and Newcrest are also looking at options for transporting family members to Manado, and said counselling and support services were being made available to family and employees.

Work at the Gosowong mine was suspended yesterday, with the company saying it will advise as further information becomes available.