The Hawks' spokesperson Tlangelani Rekhotso said the miners were flushed out from underground following information of illegal mining activities at the Quest mine in Buffeldoorn Road.

It is alleged the miners had generators at multiple processing stations of the mine. The Hawks ceased 23 buckets of gold-bearing material, electric mils, two firearms, explosive cartridges, detonating cords, capped fuses, four generators, and various other mining paraphernalia.

The arrests form part of a multi-disciplinary operation by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, together with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Rikhotso said the suspects are expected to appear before the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday 23 February 2023.

Meanwhile, 21 suspects who were arrested for illegal mining in October 2021, are also expected to appear before the court on Monday 27 February 2023.

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The suspects faced charges of conspiracy to commit robbery of gold, possession of prohibited firearms, the possession of ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko