Van Wyk's call to action comes in the wake of over 4 000 illegal miners being trapped in the Orkney and Stilfontein mine shafts in the North West province, following the launch of 'Operation Val' uMgodi' by the police and the South African National Defence Force, which barred access to essential supplies for the miners.

The analyst emphasised the necessity for authorities to gain a deeper understanding of the demographics involved in illegal mining, debunking the misconception that the issue is solely perpetrated by foreigners.

According to Van Wyk, the problem is not limited to security but is deeply rooted in economic challenges that the Department of Mineral Resources has yet to address effectively.

--ChannelAfrica/SABC--