Illegal mining continues unabated in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Illegal mining continues unabated in South Africa amid reports of more deaths as a result, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Its latest victims include three miners who died in a shaft in Kingsway in Springs, about 30 km east of Johannesburg, police said.

They were killed by rival illegal miners on Sunday, police spokesman Vincent Leshabane said.

More than 10 other miners were rescued after being trapped underground for three nights by a gang of rival illegal miners. They were allegedly held hostage at gunpoint, shot, beaten and pushed down steep shafts.

As an investigation went on, the death toll could rise, said Leshabane.

"We are serious about conducting a full investigation. We want to get to the root of the issue. People can't continue with illegal mining as it puts their lives in danger."

The latest incident highlights the severity of illegal mining in the country.

A 2010 study shows that 6 billion rands (about 600 million U. S. dollars) was being lost to illegal mining annually.

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