STILFONTEIN - The Department of Mineral Resources is dismissing claims that it's failing to stop illegal mining.
The department says while it continues to work with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on zama zamas, it also has programmes for those who want to mine legally.
Hundreds of illegal miners have been arrested in North West after they were forced to resurface.
An unknown number of them still remain underground.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane filed this report.