South African authorities are in a standoff with illegal miners in a closed mine in North West province, having cut off their supplies to force them out. The operation, part of the Vala Umgodi initiative, aims to arrest illegal miners, with estimates suggesting up to 4,000 miners may be underground. The government refuses to assist the miners, labeling them as criminals. Illegal mining has been a long-standing issue in South Africa, causing economic losses. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)