Illegal mining suspects to appear in Limpopo court

Four individuals accused of involvement in illegal mining and two suspected kingpins will return to the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Tuesday next week.

They are alleged to have operated a gold processing laboratory at a farm along the R71 at Tarentaalrand, outside Tzaneen, and face charges related to the illegal processing of gold-bearing materials.

Provincial police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba says officers confiscated various items during the operation.

Ledwaba states, “Two of these individuals are suspected to be the main kingpins behind the illegal mining activities. During the operation, police seized various items believed to have been used in the illegal processing of minerals, including containers with carbon ashes presumed to be precious minerals, gas bottles, sulfuric acid, and oxygen cylinders…”

“Furthermore, two vehicles, a red Haval and a white Mercedes-Benz, both with Gauteng registration plates and believed to belong to the two suspected kingpins, were seized,” adds Ledwaba.

The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining activities in the region.

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