Eight of 17 miners stuck in an elevator at the deepest salt mine in the Western Hemisphere have been rescued.

Cargill Inc spokesman Mark Klein says four miners were raised to the surface in a basket on Thursday morning at the company's mine in the central New York town of Lansing. Four more were rescued later.

The rescue operation continues for the remaining miners. Mr Klein said they are not in danger.

Mr Klein said the miners got stuck on Wednesday night while descending to the floor of the 2,300-foot-deep mine to start their shift.

He said emergency officials are able to communicate with the miners via radio and emergency workers have been able to get supplies to the miners.

The mine operated by Minneapolis-based Cargill produces road salt that is shipped throughout the north-east United States.