The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) welcomes the arrestof suspects alleged to have been involved in illegal mining operations and seizureof firearms by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate forPriority Crimes Investigation (DCPI) in Stilfontein, North West Province.

We commend the collaboration between the SAPS and the Hawks for a successfulbust of such a serious criminal operation. We are confident that the arrestedsuspects will face the full might of the law and hope for a successful prosecution. Illegal mining is a criminal activity that not only bleeds the economy, but alsocompromises national security and the integrity of our infrastructure. The scourgeof illegal mining, regardless of where it is being conducted, is of grave concern tothe government. It is for this reason that the DMRE supports the efforts of lawenforcement agencies and mining industry stakeholders to eliminate illegal miningactivities.

The DMRE appreciates the important role played by communities in fightingcriminal activities and economic sabotage in society, including illegal mining.

Assuch, we encourage members of communities to continue reporting any suspiciousextraction minerals to law enforcement agencies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Mineral Resources and Energy: Republic of South Africa.