JOHANNESBURG - Authorities have confirmed that a total of 118 illegal miners have been extracted from an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein so far this week.
READ: Illegal mining | Police, Mineral Resources Ministers visit Stilfontein
On Monday, the operation saw 35 illegal miners extracted, with nine certified dead.
On Tuesday 83 miners were extracted, 56 were found alive, while 27 were dead.
In addition to the extractions, law enforcement has arrested 82 individuals, who now face charges related to illegal mining, trespassing, and violations of the Immigration Act.
Two miners, found in possession of gold, have also been charged with the illegal possession of gold-bearing material.
Tuesday’s rescue efforts are set to proceed until 10pm.
Mandla Charles, one of the volunteers said, "What I saw underground is terrible."
"There are more than 109 dead bodies and they are decomposed. What I saw traumatises me even when I talk about it I'm still traumatised."
"Today we are going to go back underground."
"We want to retrieve at least 50 dead bodies. I couldn't count how many people still remain underground because some are way further deep in the shafts."
"But the ones we were within the shaft yesterday could be almost 100. So they sent letters to other sections where they stay to say we are here to help them they must come."
"We saw them coming in numbers yesterday when we were about to knock off."