An old mortar has been discovered on a property in Ermelo Road, Largo on Thursday.
Springs police spokesperson, Capt Johannes Ramphora says the mortar was found at bout 2pm.
According to Ramphora, the owner of the house received a phone call about the mortar and informed the police.
The mortar was found at the back of the property where illegal mining activities were taking place.
A 22-year-old illegal immigrant was arrested on the scene.
The suspect does not know how the mortar got onto the property, but he has recently noticed it lying outside.
Ramphora says the illegal mining activities took place next to where the mortar was.
W/O Anthony Heaney from SAPS Public Order Policing (Pops) was on the scene first and called the Germiston Explosives Unit who rushed to the scene.
Ramphora says the illegal miner claims he has been hired to do illegal mining on the property.
“There is currently no one living in the house,” he says.
Police confiscated two pandukas, a wheelbarrow and two gas bottles were used in illegal mining activities.
The explosives unit will remove the mortar from the scene.
