Eight people died on Monday when a tailing dump collapsed at a bulk sampling mining area in the Northern Cape.
The incident happened close to Kleinsee in the Nama Khoi Local Municipality.
A bulk sample is a physical sample of a large volume or tonnage of mineral material taken from a known resource area for investigative purposes.
Municipal spokesperson Jason Milford said authorities were still on the site, excavating the area to find others who may be trapped underneath.
He said police received a call that alerted them to the tunnel collapse and upon arrival at the scene, "authorities discovered seven bodies atop the tailing dump, while one body was found under the tailing dump".
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock was unable to say if there were more victims underground.
SAPS forensics officials are on the scene.
"At this stage, the nationality of the deceased is still unknown as the police investigation continues," he said.
Milford added that "in a collaborative effort to aid in the recovery process", De Beers had provided machinery for excavation efforts.
"As the investigation and recovery operation continues, authorities are urging all diggers and individuals to refrain from approaching the site for their safety," Milford said.