The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) welcomes the sentencing of the 87 illegal miners to a combined 696 year prison term by the Stilfontein Regional Court this week. The illegal miners were arrested during a multi-disciplinary intelligence driven operation led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, assisted by the Special Task Force and the District Illicit Mining Task Team at Shaft 2 in Orkney on 20 October 2021. Illegal mining and trafficking of precious metals, gold and other minerals is a criminal activity that not only erodes the potential of the mining industry, but also often undermines the human rights of various communities. The DMRE commends the law enforcement agencies that participated in the operation that culminated in the sentencing of these criminals and calls on mining communities and other stakeholders to play an active role in the efforts to eliminate illegal mining in South Africa. For enquiries: mediadesk@dmre.gov.za Mr Makhosonke Buthelezi – 082 359 5584 Mr Nathi Shabangu - 073 852 1922 End Issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy