They were nabbed during Operation Vala Umgodi, which is a police operation with SANDF aimed at curbing the prevalent illegal mining actives in the country.
The illegal miners are also suspected to undocumented foreign nationals.
Police said the miners were forced to resurface as they could no longer get food supplies to sustain them underground.
“Approximately 1,000 illegal immigrants and illegal miners are currently being retrieved from a mine in the Barberton area. SAPS is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to tackle #illegalmining activities through regular operations, visible policing, and intelligence-driven interventions,”
“These efforts aim to dismantle illegal mining networks, protect our natural resources, and ensure the safety of affected communities.”
In 2024, police closed gold mine in Stilfontein, North West that resulted in the deaths of at least 78 illegal miners. Hundreds more were rescued, whom where mainly foreign nationals.
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