JOHANNESBURG — In a bold move that underscores its crackdown on illegal mining operations, the South African government has announced that it will not provide assistance to a reported group of 4,000 illegal miners trapped inside a closed mine in the North West province.

Authorities have restricted access to basic necessities for these miners as part of an extensive strategy aimed at curbing illegal mining practices.

The miners, holed up in a Stilfontein mineshaft, are believed to be enduring severe shortages of food, water, and essential supplies following police actions that sealed off the entrances previously used to deliver goods underground.

This tactic is part of the police operation dubbed Vala Umgodi, meaning "Close the Hole," designed to drive the miners back to the surface for arrests.

Despite earlier reports suggesting that thousands of miners were beneath the earth, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated on Thursday that the actual numbers may have been inflated, with current estimates leaning towards 350 to 400 miners.

"We have deployed maximum resources to this case, including our intelligence operatives, to engage with all stakeholders," Mathe remarked, adding that they had received tips from individuals who recently helped bring three miners to the surface.

The government is not taking this situation lightly.

Ministers of police and defense are set to visit the mine to confer with officials and local community members about the ongoing enforcement actions.

This operation, which intensified around October 18, has heightened tensions in the area.

The duration of the miners' stay underground remains uncertain, with reports indicating that mining groups sometimes spend months below the surface, relying on intermittent supplies from outside.

Mathe has emphasized that sending any police or military personnel down into the mines is too perilous, citing the potential for loss of life.

There are concerns that the miners could be heavily armed, with police having already confiscated more than 369 high-caliber firearms, large quantities of ammunition, and millions in cash and uncut diamonds since they began operations against illegal mining last December.

In recent weeks, over 1,000 miners have emerged from various mines in the North West province, many appearing weak, malnourished, and suffering from health issues due to prolonged deprivation of basic needs.

Authorities continue to maintain a vigilant presence around the mine to apprehend those attempting to surface.

Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni firmly reiterated the government's stance against aiding criminals: "We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped. We didn’t send them there."

Illegal mining practices remain prevalent in South Africa’s historic gold mining regions, with many miners coming from neighboring countries.

These operations are characterized by larger criminal syndicates that exploit the workers and have raised significant concerns among nearby communities due to increased crime rates, including robberies and acts of violence.

With tensions mounting and the government unwavering in its resolve, the illegal mining crisis in South Africa continues to pose profound challenges for local authorities and communities alike.