The clampdown on illegal mining cut off food and water to hundreds of miners underground. At least 78 bodies were pulled from a mining shaft this week, and more are believed to remain underground.

Interpol says a major operation targeting illegal gold mining in West Africa has resulted in 200 arrests and the seizure of harmful chemicals, explosives and drugs

A total of 118 illegal miners, including 36 dead, have been extracted from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa. The operation has led to arrests for illegal mining and trespassing.