In a significant breakthrough, three suspected illegal miners were arrested in Welkom, Free State, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illicit mining activities. The arrests follow a tip-off received by members of Operation Vala Umgodi, who acted swiftly on the information about illegal mining in Thabong Extension 13, just outside Welkom.
On Wednesday, March 5, police conducted a search at the identified house, where they uncovered a series of illegal mining materials, including three crushable pots and two gold-bearing amalgam nuggets. The 54-year-old foreign national found at the scene was arrested and charged with possession of suspected gold-bearing material, along with an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
Further investigation revealed that two other suspects, aged 35 and 40, were found in possession of 34.22 kg of gold-bearing material, along with several pieces of gold-processing equipment such as basins, steel plates, and garden spades. These materials are typically used in the illegal gold separation process.
The operation didn’t stop there. In another part of Welkom, in the Western Holdings 05 Old area, members of Operation Vala Umgodi arrested a 42-year-old man, who was found with gold-bearing material weighing 13.16 kg, alongside mining tools including a hammer, gwala, pickaxe, and shovel.
Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, Free State provincial police spokesperson, emphasized that the police are actively targeting hotspot areas for illicit mining activities. The three suspects arrested are expected to appear in court soon, where they will face charges related to the illegal mining operation.
