"At present, 36 bodies have been recovered and the search for 10 miners is continuing," Xinhua reported citing the ministry.
Local media reported that a methane explosion struck the mine shaft earlier Sunday.
A total of 208 miners have been evacuated after the accident.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan'ani offered condolences to the government and people of the friendly and brotherly country of Kazakhstan, especially the bereaved families, after an explosion in a mine.
AMK/PR