R1m Illegal Gold Refinery Busted in Booysens, Suspects Arrested

(The Post News)– In a major crackdown on organized illegal mining, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) K-9 Unit, working alongside the Hawks and two private security companies, successfully uncovered and shut down a clandestine gold refinery in Booysens on Tuesday, October 28.

According to JMPD, the sophisticated operation dismantled a critical processing hub believed to be fueling the notorious Zama Zama syndicates. The department said, following intensive intelligence-gathering and surveillance, the raid has exposed a significant weakness in the illegal mining supply chain.

“While the facility holds legal registration to process precious metals, investigations revealed it was illegally processing gold-bearing material for illegal miners, a contravention of its registered mandate,” said the JMPD in a statement. JMPD said the estimated street value of the gold-bearing material and processed gold seized is at R1 000 000.

3 Illegal Mines Amongst those Arrested

Moreover, four suspects were arrested on the scene. This includes three individuals, two males and one female, identified as suspected illegal miners (Zama Zamas) and the male manager of the facility. “The suspects have been formally charged with the contravention of the Precious Metals Act (possession and dealing in precious metals) and bribery after they attempted to bribe the officials with R20 000 for their release.”

JMPD Acting Chief of Police, Commissioner Eldred Fortein, underscored the strategic importance of the bust, stating that the operation ‘sends a clear message.’ “The JMPD, alongside the Hawks, is aggressively targeting the entire value chain of illicit mining. We are not just focusing on the individuals underground but on the sophisticated, illegitimate infrastructure, like this refinery, that enables illegal miners to operate,” said Fortein.

He added that the joint operation “will continue to disrupt these criminal networks that threaten the safety and economic stability of our city.” The Booysens facility remains officially shut down pending further investigation into the network’s full scope.