Three suspected illegal miners have been arrested following illegal mining activities at Welkom in the Free State.
This comes after members of Operation Vala Umgodi received a tip-off from a community member about illegal mining activities in Thabong Extension 13 outside Welkom. The team followed up the information and the identified house was searched on Wednesday, March 5.
Free State provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said during the search, police found three crushable pots and seized two gold-bearing amalgam nuggets.
"The 54-year-old foreign national was placed under arrest, and a case of possession of suspected gold-bearing material with added charge of contravention of Immigration Act was opened at Thabong police station," said Covane.
During the operation two male suspects aged, 35 and 40, were found in possession of gold-bearing material weighing at 34.22 kg and gold processing equipment, basins modified to help with separation process, steel plates, garden spade and other items.
"Disruptive actions against illicit mining activities continued in identified hotspot areas. Proactive operators patrolled and arrested two African males found busy with illegal mining activities in the Stone and Allied area."
Covane said the three suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, Operation Vala Umgodi members made another arrest in Western Holdings 05 Old. The 42-year-old man was found in possession of a hammer, gwala, pick axe, a shovel and gold-bearing material weighing at 13.16 kg.
Cases of possession of suspected gold-bearing material; gold processing equipment with additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act were opened at Welkom police station.
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