TimesLive reports that nine suspects were arrested for alleged illegal mining activities at a plot at Ten Acres, Randfontein, on Thursday.

Eight of the suspects are undocumented migrants aged between 18 and 32, and the ninth is a 66-year-old man who owns the plot. "The group's illegal activities were brought to a halt when the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in the West Rand pounced on the suspects while they were operating an illegal precious metals refinery at a secluded site,” Hawks spokesperson Capt Lloyd Ramovha reported. He said more than 200 tonnes of gold-bearing material with an estimated value of R550,000 and implements such as a “phenduka” machine for gold refining and generators were confiscated from the facility. The group is expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLive

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