PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has sent at least 3 300 soldiers in the fight against illegal miners who may resist law enforcement.
This operation is expected to run until April 2024 to combat this crime.
On Friday, 1 December, a multi-disciplinary disruptive operation comprising the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Klerksdorp Illicit Mining Task Team, National Intervention Unit (NIU), North West Explosives Unit, K9 and North West Motorcycle Unit arrested 13 undocumented individuals aged between 15 and 46.
These illegal miners are scheduled to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates Court on Monday, 4 December.
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The suspects were arrested at the abandoned Wolwerand Gold mine in Klerksdorp after information was received about illegal mining of gold in the area.
Information was operationalised and the team pounced on the illegal miners who then fled the scene, abandoning their equipment.
"Thirteen suspects who were found on the periphery of the mining site were apprehended and charged with contravention of section 49 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
"Preliminary investigation conducted could not link the suspects to illegal mining," said Hawks provincial spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula.
Mathebula said seizures made during the operation include 15 pendukas, eight generators, a water tank, water pipes and other mining paraphernalia.
Gold bearing material estimated at R200 000 was also seized.
Four informal gold processing plants were destroyed. The acting North West Hawks Head, Brigadier Malima applauded the team's efforts in disrupting illegal mining activities.
