In South Africa a months long stand-off between police and illegal miners in an abandoned gold mine comes to end, with close to 80 found dead in grim recovery operation.

The derelict Stilfontein shaft, which became a hell hole for hundreds of trapped miners, is just one of 6,000 that have been abandoned by South Africa's gold extraction companies.

A miner who endured six months trapped in an abandoned mine in South Africa has recounted the terrifying experience he faced after a police crackdown cut off food and essential supplies to thousands engaged in illegal gold mining.