About seventy (70) suspects were arrested for illegal mining on Thursday, in Westonaria.
Ten of the seventy (70) were arrested while in possession of drugs, four for gold bearing material and one for employing an illegal immigrant amongst others.
Fourty two (42) are illegal immigrants.
SAPS in the West Rand District in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and private security companies made the arrests, during Operation Shanela II.
Police also said they arrested another 48 suspects for drug related offences and illegal mining in Actonville, Langlaagte, Roodepoort and Westonaria, on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
They also confiscated pendukas, petrol motors, steel balls, stampers, stamper pots, garden spades, shovels, picks, an electric motor, plastic basins and buckets, liquor and rolls of explosives.
Picture: Supplied