Death Toll at Illegal Mining Operation in South Africa Hits 51.

The death toll at an illegal mining operation in South Africa has reached 51, with more than 100 people rescued from the disused gold mine in Stilfontein. Civil rights groups report that at least 100 individuals have died from starvation since October when the mine was sealed off. South Africa loses billions of dollars annually to illegal gold mining, with many abandoned mines attracting informal miners, including individuals from outside the country. The government has opposed calls for the formalization of informal mining, viewing it as detrimental to the economy. [Extracted from the article]