The rescue operation comes after a standoff between the miners and the police that has persisted for over a month.

South African rescue experts have arrived at the Stilfontein mine to begin a retrieval operation aimed at bringing suspected illegal miners to the surface. The operation is being led by Wessels Morweng, the Member of the Executive Council for North West Community Safety, according to state broadcaster SABC.

The rescue mission comes after a prolonged standoff between the miners and police that has lasted for over a month. Relatives of the miners had earlier accused authorities of trapping the miners underground and obstructing efforts to deliver food and water to them. However, the police countered that the miners are not trapped, but have refused to leave the abandoned mine for fear of arrest.

On Tuesday, mine rescue teams assessed the shaft to determine the necessary equipment for the retrieval operation. The Stilfontein community, which had initially volunteered to assist in retrieving the illegal miners, has stepped back to allow the task team appointed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to take charge.

The exact number of miners still underground remains unknown. The leader of the Stilfontein residents, Thembile Botman, expressed concern that the rescue effort might be too late. "We will just hope we are saving human beings that are still alive, not corpses," Botman said.

In the midst of this, a South African High Court on Tuesday postponed a case filed by miners who are seeking permission to emerge from the mine without facing arrest. The Society for the Protection of our Constitution filed the case on behalf of the miners.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa had previously stated that the activities of illegal miners pose a significant risk to the country's economy, communities, and personal safety. However, he also called for a peaceful resolution to the standoff.