More than 150 illegal miners have been rescued from an abandoned mine in South Africa’s eastern Mpumalanga province.
The rescue operation, which began earlier this week, was completed on Friday night. However, police investigations into illegal mining activities in the region are ongoing.
Those rescued, mostly foreign nationals, claim they were forced underground against their will to search for gold.
A police spokesperson confirmed the miners have been arrested, and authorities are investigating allegations of human trafficking and forced labor in these mining operations.
The final miner to emerge from the disused shaft was received by army officers and appeared exhausted but relieved.
The rescue operation at the Mpumalanga mine is now complete, although investigations will continue before the site is shut down. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are still underway at another abandoned mine in Stilfontein, south-west of Johannesburg.
Illegal mining is widespread across South Africa, costing the economy millions in lost revenue. General Masemola has described Mpumalanga as a hotspot for such activities.
