JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 200 illegal miners have been nabbed by South African police in the country's Mpumulanga province and more arrests are expected, the South African Press Association reported on Wednesday.

Capt. Leonard Hlathi said operations running over the last two weeks had now seen over 200 illegal miners arrested at Fairview mine in Barberton.

The arrestees include 38 teenagers ages 14 to 17 who were taken at the gold mine.

"The operation is continuing. It is suspected more people are hiding under there and mining security is busy receiving them."

Legal miners raised the alert on their illegal counterparts after reporting that "they have got people that they don't know underground," Hlathi was quoted as saying.

Those arrested underground are charged with trespassing. Those found coming out of the mine with gold are charged with the possession of illegal gold.

Hlathi said illegal miners spent long periods underground – up to three months. During this time they would not come up, but instead brought their own food and water to sustain them throughout the period.

Earlier this year, 19 bodies of illegal miners were retrieved at the Fairview mine.