At least 14 illegal miners have died after part of a disused mine collapsed in Nkaneng near Rustenburg in North West.
The incident happened while a group of zama zamas was underground on Tuesday.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the walls of the abandoned mine caved in and trapped the miners.
Fourteen deaths had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Several other miners were injured, while authorities said some people were still trapped underground.
Rescue teams sent to the scene
Police said specialist mine rescue teams were being deployed to the site as emergency operations continued.
The immediate priority was to reach those who remained underground and determine how many people had been inside the mine when the collapse occurred.
Eight miners were reported to have suffered serious injuries.
Authorities had not yet confirmed the identities or nationalities of those who died.
The cause of the collapse was also not immediately clear beyond reports of unstable underground workings giving way.
Disused mines pose serious dangers
Abandoned and disused mine shafts can be extremely dangerous because they lack the safety systems, maintenance, and infrastructure found at operating mines.
Illegal miners commonly enter these sites in search of remaining minerals despite the danger of rockfalls, flooding and unstable tunnels.
Police have repeatedly warned about the risks associated with illegal mining operations.
The activities have also been linked to wider criminal networks, including illegal mineral trading and violent disputes.
Death toll could change
Tuesday’s incident comes as authorities continue efforts to combat illegal mining in North West and other mining regions.
The Rustenburg area is home to extensive mining infrastructure, including sites that are no longer in commercial operation.
Police had not confirmed whether criminal charges or a wider investigation would follow the collapse.
With rescue teams still responding and some miners reportedly trapped, the situation remained active at the time of publication.
Authorities were expected to release further details once rescue teams had fully assessed the underground area and accounted for those involved.