Mpumalanga police dealt a significant blow to illegal mining during a two-day sting operation in Pilgrim’s Rest.

Between March 2 and 3, members of the SAPS Proactive and Combat Team arrested 16 suspects, aged between 18 and 41. The operation, part of an ongoing provincial drive to curb illegal mining, focused on the Majacks informal settlement and the uptown area.

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According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, the operation resulted in several arrests and the seizure of mining-related equipment.

The suspects face charges including contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of gold-bearing material and mining equipment, and fraud. Illegal cigarettes were also found in their possession.

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“In addition to the arrests, police recovered a significant amount of specialised mining equipment that had been abandoned at the sites. This included steel balls, water pumps, motors, metal detectors and rechargeable mine-lab batteries, as well as other illicit mining materials,” she said.

Detectives are working with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the immigration status of those in custody.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court soon.

“The team remains committed to dismantling the infrastructure that supports illegal mining in the province,” Nonyane-Mpe said.