**Over 150 Miners Rescued from Abandoned South African Gold Mine Amid Human Trafficking Allegations**

**The successful rescue of over 150 miners from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa raises serious concerns over human trafficking and forced labor in illegal mining operations.**

In a dramatic rescue operation, over 150 illegal miners were extracted from a disused gold mine in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The operation was sparked after the discovery of three deceased bodies during the initial rescue efforts, highlighting the grave dangers these miners faced. According to police, many of those rescued are foreign nationals who reported being coerced into working underground to unearth gold-bearing rock.

A police representative disclosed that while the miners are now safe, they have been detained as investigations into the illegal mining practices continue. Authorities are delving deeper into the allegations of human trafficking and forced labor connected to these dangerous operations.

As night fell on Friday, the last miner emerged from the depths, signaling the end of the main rescue operation with a whistle that resonated relief and exhaustion. Although the rescue is complete, investigations into the chilling conditions within the mine are set to persist as preparations are made to officially close the site.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts are still active in another abandoned mine located in Stilfontein, to the southwest of Johannesburg. Authorities are mobilizing additional equipment on Monday to support the removal of those who remain trapped underground. The illegal mining epidemic swept across South Africa continues to pose significant challenges, costing the economy millions in lost revenue. National police head, Gen. Fannie Masemola, has marked Mpumalanga as a notable hotspot for these illicit activities, emphasizing the urgent need for action.