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Seven people were arrested and items valued at approximately R8 million were seized from an illegal gold processing refinery in West Rand.
Wednesday’s arrests were the result of investigations by the Hawks Serious Organized Crime Investigation team targeting precious metals and Sibanye Stillwater Protective Services who were inspecting different facilities in the area after the local Environmental Municipality received illegal mining leads in the area three months ago.
The team raided facilities in Westonaria and Kocksoord.
“Among other items seized from both locations in Westonaria and Kocksoord worth approximately R8 million, the police seized some 300 tons of gold material, seven artificial pendukas, ten bags of coal and two water pumps, as well as electronic gadgets and documents for further investigation, ”Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu said on Friday.
The group appeared in Westonaria and Randfontein Magistrates Courts respectively on Friday. They face charges of illegal possession of raw precious metals, illegal immigration and contamination of the area with cyanide under the Environmental Law.
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