Four illegal miners surfaced Monday from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa’s North West province, marking the latest development in an ongoing rescue operation that has intensified following last week’s emergence of 12 miners.

The miners exited through shaft 10 of the former Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, receiving immediate medical attention before being taken into custody by authorities.

This rescue follows November’s heightened law enforcement operations targeting illegal mining in the region, which led to over 1,200 arrests of “zama zamas” – a local term for illegal miners – on charges including possession of illegal gold material and immigration violations.

Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of miners still trapped underground, though estimates suggest hundreds remain in the abandoned shaft network. The precarious conditions and complex tunnel systems pose significant challenges to rescue efforts.

South Africa’s illegal mining crisis has escalated in recent years, with abandoned mines becoming focal points for unauthorized mining activities. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy reports that these operations cost the country billions in lost revenue annually.

“The safety risks these miners face are extreme,” said mining safety expert Johannes van der Merwe. “Many of these old shafts are structurally unsound and lack proper ventilation systems.”

Local police spokesperson Captain Maria Tshabalala stated: “We continue monitoring all known exit points while providing necessary humanitarian assistance to those who surface.”

Rescue operations remain active at the site as authorities maintain their dual approach of facilitating safe exits while enforcing legal measures against illegal mining activities.