The Operation Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team in the Northern Cape has welcomed support from mining companies within the Francis Baard and Namakwa districts to combat illegal mining.

Several engagements were held between mining company security heads, both in Francis Baard and Namakwa districts, where they committed to join the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi in the efforts to eradicate illegal mining, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

In the Francis Baard District, Ekapa Mining outlined the relationship it has with the local Artisinal Mining Forum, Batho Pele, as well as identified demarcated mining land and areas where suspected illegal mining activities were taking place.

Two mining companies within the Namakwa district, namely Misvak and Alexcor Diamond Mining, accompanied the Operation Vala Umgodi team to identified mining sites.

The mining companies reported that they were greatly affected by the illegal mining activities and pledged their support to Operation Vala Umgodi in the two districts by sharing their intelligence collected information during the execution of operations.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the mining community for strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and welcomed all efforts to fight illegal mining activities in the province.