The Council of Geo-Science has confirmed that gold and other deposits have been discovered in the Giyani area.
The council’s CEO, Mosa Mabuza was speaking during the Limpopo Mining Investment Conference, which took place in Polokwane recently.
During his talk he told delegates that scientists and engineers have already conducted research in the region.
“Gold is absolutely there and we are doing further assessment to ascertain whether the gold can be economically extracted, if indeed we made this discovery, it will have a huge impact in that part of the world,” Mabuza said, according to a SABC report.
In recent years the Herald has reported on a number of stories of illegal gold mining activities in the Giyani area, specifically in Nhlaniki, Mapuve and Mavalani villages.
Also read: GIYANI: Illegal gold miners granted bail
In August 2019 a joint operation between the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Department of Mineral Resources and Giyani Public Order Police resulted in the arrest of a 30-yearold suspect for illegal mining, at Nhlaniki village outside Giyani.
The suspect was found with alleged mining gold-bearing material at the rehabilitated Ellerton mine.
Also read: Giyani backyard gold lab of ‘millions’ closed
“Mining equipment including two generators, two pendukas, thirteen drill bits and explosives were seized. In the past two years, similar operations have resulted in numerous illegal miners being arrested in an effort to curb these activities that impact negatively in the country’s economy,” Capt Matimba Maluleke, Hawks spokesperson.
In May last year eight suspects, aged between 21 and 65, were arrested for alleged illegal mining activities in Hlaniki village.
They appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on charges of contravening the precious metal act.
Most recently, in August this year, seven suspects were arrested in Mapuve village for operating an illegal gold processing refinery.
