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At least nine bodies have been recovered from a disused mine in South Africa, as rescue operations to retrieve hundreds of illegal miners resumed Tuesday at Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein.

The operation to rescue the illegal gold miners,  and expected to last 10-16 days, got under way on Monday, ending a months-long standoff over their fate.

In a joint statement, the police and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said nine bodies and 26 illegal miners were brought to the surface.

The miners will be searched for illicit items like firearms and gold nuggets before an assessment by paramedics to determine those in need of medical assistance.

Police said they were also investigating allegations that food sent down was kept away from the miners.

Authorities said an operation launched last year led to significant success in curbing illegal mining activities and forcing scores of illegal miners to resurface.

More than 1,500 people involved in illegal mining have surfaced and been apprehended.