A relentless multi-agency crackdown on illegal mining is gathering momentum across the Lejweleputswa District, with dozens of arrests, the seizure of gold-bearing material and explosives, and the destruction of illegal mining infrastructure highlighting an intensified campaign against criminal syndicates operating in the Matjhabeng area.

The latest successes form part of Operation Prosper, a joint initiative involving the SAPS, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and private mining security companies. The operation focused heavily on illegal mining hotspots in Welkom, Thabong, Meloding, Virginia, Allanridge and Odendaalsrus.

Between 11 and 16 July, the police arrested 12 suspects aged between 18 and 44 years in the Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Allanridge and Theunissen policing areas.

They face charges including possession of suspected gold-bearing material, possession of suspected stolen property, contravening the Immigration Act, possession of dagga, and trespassing.

The police confiscated equipment commonly associated with illegal mining, including pickaxes, spades and buckets, as well as dagga and corrugated iron sheets believed to have been used at illegal mining sites.

Authorities say these disruptive operations will continue as they work to dismantle illegal mining syndicates operating throughout the district.

In one of the week’s most significant breakthroughs, members of the Welkom Anti-Gang unit, assisted by Thabong Crime Intelligence, arrested two men, aged 37 and 47, after an intelligence-driven operation uncovered explosives at a house in the Senzela section of Meloding.

The police said information had been received that the suspects were allegedly storing explosives and attempting to sell them illegally. A search of the property led to the discovery of 11 cone-pack explosives inside the house.

The police’s Explosives unit was immediately called to secure and remove the devices, which were seized as evidence while investigations continue.

The police believe explosives remain a critical component in many illegal mining operations and say removing them from circulation is an important step in disrupting organised criminal networks.

Earlier Operation Prosper deployments also targeted several illegal mining sites across Matjhabeng.

At the G-Hostel in Thabong, joint patrols uncovered and destroyed several makeshift gravity separation tables used to process gold-bearing material. Four men were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

In a separate operation at the St Helena number 8 Old Shaft near Welkom, three foreign nationals (aged 30, 32 and 32) were arrested for allegedly digging underground. Officers seized 12,5 kg of suspected gold-bearing material, together with a pickaxe, garden spades, a homemade strainer, a sieve and plastic buckets used during the illegal mining activities.

Another operation at the Harmony Country Club resulted in the arrest of 27 suspects – comprising 20 men and seven women – on charges of trespassing and possession of housebreaking implements. Police officers also recovered 17,1 kg of copper cable, believed to be linked to criminal activity.

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