7 more illegal miners resurface from abandoned mine in Stilfontein

JOHANNESBURG - Seven more illegal miners have resurfaced from an abandoned mine in Stilfontein on Friday.

Six of the zama zamas resurfaced from shaft 10 at the old Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, while another was pulled out at shaft 11.

The latest developments follow weeks of a standoff between law enforcement and illegal miners occupying the abandoned gold mine.

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Operation Vala Umgodi intensified in October in a bid to shut down illegal mining networks in the North West and 6 other provinces.

Since then, more than 1,400 zama zamas have been arrested.

North West Police Spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said the group arrested on Friday faced a range of charges, including trespassing and the possession of gold-bearing material.

“The first two illegal miners resurfaced in the early hours of today. They are both Zimbabwean foreign nationals. One of them was found in possession of gold-bearing material. Still at shaft no. 10, four illegal miners resurfaced at about 08:30. They included two Mozambicans, one Mosotho and a South African who was found in possession of gold-bearing material. 

The latest information received is that one illegal miner was pulled out at no. 11 shaft. He is a Mozambique foreign national,” Mokgwabone said.