JOHANNESBURG - North West police are expected to give an update on the escape of Stilfontein kingpin, Tiger. James Tshoaeli escaped after being rescued from an abandoned shaft last week. READ: Illegal mining | Hunt for Stilfontein kingpin continues He is believed to have been one of the key figures behind the illegal underground mining operations there.

Interpol says a major operation targeting illegal gold mining in West Africa has resulted in 200 arrests and the seizure of harmful chemicals, explosives and drugs.

In South Africa, a months-long standoff between police and illegal gold miners has resulted in over 100 deaths. This surge in illegal gold mining has highlighted the growing dangers of the industry. Zinhle Essamuah traveled to West Africa to explore the forces driving the dark side of the gold rush.

South Africa's police have launched a manhunt for an alleged "kingpin", who is accused of controlling operations at an abandoned gold mine where 78 corpses were discovered last week. The police force said officials had helped James Neo Tshoaeli,

A sweeping Interpol-led operation targeting illegal mining in West Africa has led to the arrest of 200 people and the seizure of substances worth $100,000.

A suspected gang leader known as "Tiger" escaped with the help of South African police after being pulled from an illegal gold mine last week where at least 78 miners died, the police said on Monday.

South African police say a suspected illegal gold mining ringleader escaped from custody with help from police officers about a week after resurfacing from a disused mine in South Africa where 246 survivors were rescued and 78 bodies were retrieved

The man known as 'Tiger' is on the run after surfacing from a Stilfontein mine last week. Tshoeali is believed to have been one of the leaders of the illegal underground activity there. WATCH: Who dropped the ball ?

By Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South African police are hunting a gang leader from Lesotho believed to have controlled operations at an illegal gold mine where 78 bodies were recovered last week after months of police siege.