By OBAKENG MAJE
Sixteen alleged illegal miners have been arrested by the Hawks Organised Crime team at Quest mine, near Stilfontein.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said, the suspects were arrested during a multi-disciplinary operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by the North West Air wing, Explosives unit, Cluster IMTT, Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Team, Crime Prevention Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
“The team followed up on information regarding the alleged illegal mining activities at Quest mine, which is situated just off Buffeldoorn road. Resultantly, sixteen alleged illegal miners were flushed out from underground leading to their subsequent arrest.
“The elaborate illegal mining activities were allegedly operated through a heavy-duty industrial generator, whilst supplemented by other smaller generators which were strategically located at multiple processing stations for gold bearing material,” Rikhotso said.
She said during the operation, two firearms were seized including the explosive cartridges, detonating cords, capped fuses, four generators, and illegal mining paraphernalia, which consisted of 23 buckets of gold-bearing material, electric mills, heavy-duty electrical equipment, water pumps, and diesel.
Rikhotso further said, in addition, large amounts of food were also seized. She added that the suspects will make their first court appearance before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on 23 February 2023.
The Guardian 