The South African government is rescuing miners trapped in an illegal mine, where access to essentials was blocked last year. Letters from miners reveal at least 109 deaths at Buffelsfontein mine. Illegal mining has risen, with around 30,000 "zama zama" miners producing 10% of the nation's gold.

The South African government has launched a mission to rescue potentially hundreds of miners trapped in an illegal mine. Their access to food, water, and medicine was restricted last year in an effort to force them to leave the site.

The operation commenced on Friday after the sister of one of the miners filed a court case. This action followed the release of letters from miners who had been brought to the surface on Thursday.

One of the letters claims that at least 109 individuals have already lost their lives at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, which is situated near Stilfontein, about 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg.

Illegal mining has become increasingly prevalent in South Africa in recent years as many industrial mines have been exhausted. Experts estimate that around 30,000 "zama zama" miners are currently working in abandoned mines, collectively contributing to up to 10% of the country’s gold production.