On Friday a huge operation, to curb illegal mining, was conducted in Grootvlei by the Springs police.
The results were positive with 17 arrests.
The SAPS searched the area at Grootvlei Mine and recovered an unlicensed firearm and several pieces of mining equipment.
Springs spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora, says the serial number of the firearm was traced and found to have been stolen in Primrose in 2014 during a house robbery.
The mining equipment confiscated included six spades, two picks, one crowbar, a hammer, jigsaw and a generator.
Ramphora says the illegal miners use the equipment during the underground mining.
It was another successful operation for the Springs police.
“We are proud of the good work by the SAPS members,” says Ramphora.
