Rescuers had difficulty entering the shaft due to intense heat after the explosion near Miquan city in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Xinhua news agency said.
Six other miners were injured in the blast, the report said, adding that investigations were underway.
China's coal mines are regarded as the most dangerous in the world, with almost 6,000 workers dying in the industry last year -- a rate of about 16 fatalities each day -- according to official figures.
Labour rights groups say the real number of mining deaths could be as high as 20,000 a year, with the official tally lower because local government officials and mine owners often cover up accidents.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2006