STILFONTEIN, NORTH WEST - An estimation of 4500 zama zamas remain underground in an abandoned mine shaft in, Stilfontein, North West.
They are reportedly weak and in poor health as they've been surviving on minimal food and water supplies.
READ: Illegal mining | About 4,500 miners remain underground
Police and soldiers are monitoring exit points as the situation unfolds.
Reprter Bafedile Moerane spoke has been following the story.