A total of seven suspects, aged between 25 and 63, were arrested on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, during a tactical intelligence-led operation at Jakalasdans village in the Apel policing area.
The operation, conducted by police from Burgersfort, the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Sekhukhune District Public Order Policing, and a private security company, targeted illegal mining activities at Jakalasdans Mountain.
According to police, the suspects were found actively mining chrome using shovels and buckets to extract minerals from underground to the surface. All seven were arrested at the scene.
Authorities confiscated five shovels and four 25-litre buckets.
The suspects face charges of illegal mining and are expected to appear before the Apel Magistrate’s Court soon. Police investigations are ongoing.