Daring heist at isolated mine nets robbers 12kg of gold

Kalgold mine near Setlagole, North West province, was the scene of a daring military-style robbery in which more than R6 million worth of unrefined gold was stolen in one fell swoop in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The isolated mine is part of the Harmony group and lies on the N18 between Vryburg and Mahikeng in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality.

Harmony spokesperson Sihle Maake said: “Security officials at the outside of the entrance were ambushed and tied up, the plant security was called upon for backup but when they responded they were also ambushed and tied up.

“The intruders then proceeded to the plant where they gained access to the smelt house by blasting open the doors with explosives,” Maake said.

According to her, gold had been left in the oven to cool down overnight.

“The gold which was locked in the oven to cool down was stolen. The robbers then fled with one of the mine’s security vehicles. Fortunately, all our plant personnel are safe and accounted for, and we’re still investigating,” Maake said.

“We are estimating around 12kg of unrefined gold ingots were stolen.”

North West Hawks spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso added that the robbers also used one of the mine’s vehicles to escape.

“It is unclear if the suspects have military training. However, they appear to be professional,” Rikhotso said.

The gold does have specific markings which Harmony is keeping under wraps for security reasons at this stage.

“Bullion is pretty hard to move on the black market but we do know some of the other gold mining companies who have been having some issues, but very isolated incidents,” noted Maake.

The mine’s stolen vehicle was recovered after being dumped on the side of a nearby road.

It’s not the first time Kalgold mine has been targeted. In 2015, six people were arrested on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery at the mine.

Acting on information, police monitored the mine entrance and when a white Ford Courier and a Mercedes-Benz van arrived at the gate, as per the intelligence received by the police, members of the Hawks and Tactical Response teams swooped.

Gunfire was exchanged, causing the suspects to flee. Two were immediately captured while the dog unit arrested the other four.

– amandaw@citizen.co.za

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