Eleven illegal miners resurface in Stilfontein

JOHANNESBURG - Eleven illegal miners have resurfaced from the old Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein as Operation Vala Umgodi enters another week. 

Earlier this month, police intensified their bid to shut down illegal mining networks in the area. 

WATCH: The complex task of retrieving illegal miners in Stilfontein

This includes a newly appointed task team to retrieve illegal miners from shaft 11, with mine rescue experts also on board. 

The 11 that resurfaced overnight emerged from a separate shaft nearby.

Police said other zama zamas ran back to the shaft fearing arrest. 

More than a week ago, a task team was deployed by police minister Senzo Mchunu to retrieve the zama zamas who are said to be refusing to resurface amid fears of arrest. 

Since then mining experts, local government and law enforcement have been doing groundwork ahead of implementing the plan that is now in phase 2.
 

In phase one of the rescue operation, the rubble around the shaft was cleared. 

Phase 2 which got underway on Friday, saw an industrial crane lower a camera down shaft 11 where the illegal miners will be retrieved.

READ: Police probing alleged extortionist demanding cut from Stilfontein rescuers

This is part of a crucial assessment of the shaft. 

Once the green light has been given, a cage will be assembled and lowered into the shaft to carry 8-10 illegal miners to the surface every 45 minutes. 

Although phase 3 is tipped to start on Monday, the decision rests on the outcomes of the assessments done last week. 

The R1 million rand a day operation is said to be the first of its kind in the country. 

On the sidelines, police are worried that claims of extortion and pressure for humanitarian aid for the illegal miners could frustrate the operation.