Four suspected illegal miners arrested at Beatrix mine, 184kg of material seized - IOL

Four suspected illegal miners were arrested during Operation Prosper at Beatrix mine in Theunissen, where authorities seized seven bags containing about 184.1kg of suspected gold-bearing material.

Four suspected illegal miners remain behind bars after a joint security operation at Beatrix mine in the Free State allegedly caught them conducting unlawful surface mining and led to the seizure of more than 184kg of suspected gold-bearing material.

The four men, aged between 28 and 36, were arrested during Operation Prosper at Shaft 2’s rock dump in Theunissen on Friday, September 25.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Palesa Thabana said members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and mine security carried out the operation at about 10.35pm.

“During the operation, the team found four males conducting unlawful surface mining activities,” Thabana said.

According to police, officers found seven bags containing suspected gold-bearing material (GBM) in the possession of the four men.

The material, which was seized during the operation, weighed approximately 184.1kg.

“The alleged suspects were found to be in possession of seven bags containing suspected Bearing Material (GBM),” Thabana said.

Police identified the accused as Tseko Montso, 28, Thabang Phoshodi, 29, Lefojane Matala, 36, and Refuoe Ramokoena, 29.

Their arrests form part of Operation Prosper, a joint law-enforcement initiative targeting illegal mining activities.

The four accused appeared in the Theunissen Magistrate’s Court on September 28 following their arrests.

Their case was postponed to October 13 for address verification.

“The four suspects remain in custody,” Thabana said.