CAPE TOWN - The impasse that is playing out in Stilfontein has put the illegal-mining conundrum back in the spotlight.
Government has folded its arms as it deems illegal mining a criminal activity.
It's refusing to deploy any resource to rescue miners underground.
READ: Discussion | Illegal Mining | Zama Zamas emerge and in poor health
However, local residents are pleading with government to help get the zama zamas up to the surface.
Mining expert Peter Major, spoke to eNCA.