Tons of gold-bearing soil valued at over R2.5-million were recovered and removed from illegal mining operations in Eikenhof, Johannesburg, on Tuesday.
A setup of squatter camps on both sides of the R554 shows no signs of the multi-million rand illegal operations involving disused mines.
Residents from the surrounding areas have sent numerous complaints to the authorities regarding the illegal mining operations.
On Tuesday, authorities from different arms of the government descended on the site.
They arrested 14 suspects aged between 26 and 51 for operating illicit gold processing facilities.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said the group was arrested following a proactive, multifaceted operation by authorities, prompted by numerous complaints from the community in and around Eikenhof about the existence of these facilities.
Ramovha stated that the West Rand-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, armed with a search warrant, arrived at the illegal facilities at around 10am.
“It was an all-encompassing law enforcement operation with the police Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Traffic helicopters and local community police forum members, along with the Department of Health and Safety, Gauteng Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and the South African Diamond & Precious Metals Regulator,” he said.
He added that tons of soil with gold-bearing material valued at over R2.5-million were recovered and removed from the scene by “our mining sector stakeholders”.
The provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, visited the scene and praised the multidisciplinary team’s effort. “The existence of such facilities, particularly in residential areas, poses a health and environmental challenge.
“The use of cyanide to extract gold in such an unregulated environment is a recipe for disaster. The illegal activities also hurt the country’s economy. We urge all communities who suspect similar illicit activities to report them to authorities,” he said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 August, for charges related to operating illicit gold processing facilities.
The suspects, who are Zimbabwean nationals, will face charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals as well as contraventions of the Immigration Act and Environmental Act.
In recent months, there have been intensive operations across the country, with police conducting what they call “Vala Mgodi” operations, targeting disused mines that have been left unguarded.
Police have been closing several illegal mining operations in these areas.
The government has also been investing millions of rands to combat illegal mining in the country.
In the West Rand district, former police minister Bheki Cele deployed special units to combat zamazamas (illegal miners) after eight women were gang-raped. Despite all the efforts in the area, residents say it’s business as usual for the zamazamas.
Pictured above: A scene where authorities arrested 14 zamazamas.
