Operation Vala Umgodi Combat and Proactive operators; supported by drone pilots continue to conduct disruptive policing actions in various identified illicit mining hotspot areas.
The team that includes South African National Defence Force and Private Security Companies executed a number of operational concepts in Flamingo Park notorious of smelt houses, Merriespruit Evaporation Dam area, St Helena Old Mine area, Beatrix Old Shaft 4 and G-Hostel Constantia Road in Thabong where open cast illegal mining often occurs.
A total of five males were arrested by the police and 106.91 kilograms of gold bearing material was seized. Gold processing equipment such as Mapp gas cylinders (3), 9kg gas bottles (5), industrial oxygen cylinders (3), connector pipes (red-brown-blue 20 meters in length), regulators, cutting torches and nozzles, garden spades, steel plates, burner pans and crushable pots were confiscated. Cases dockets of Possession of suspected gold bearing material, gold processing equipment with additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act were opened in Thabong, Theunissen, Virginia and Welkom Police Stations.
The partnership between South African Police Service and Private Security Companies recovered 1500 Red detonators at Kopanang Mine. Bomb Disposal and Explosives Experts Unit were summoned to the mine to handle the explosives after they were found left behind by illegal underground miners.
All arrested suspects will appear before Court soon.
Five foreign national males arrested on charges related to illicit mining in the Free Statehttps://t.co/0rlizOYFcf#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/rIbecgMOKT
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 29, 2025
