A North West man and his accomplice face charges of illegal mining after he allegedly allowed illegal miners to access a local mine through a hole in the floor at his home.

The 65-year-old faces charges of for illegal mining, tampering with and / or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods.

Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, said the man was nabbed on Thursday morning at the Nkandla informal settlement near Khuseleka 1 mine by Tlhabane Visible Policing, Royal Bafokeng Tactical Team and Rustenburg Public Safety.

"The team received a tip-off and made the arrests. The homeowner, who lives with his family at the house, is believed to have either used the hole in the room's floor, or allowed others to use it, as an entrance to the nearby mine shaft," Funani said.

Police at the man’s home in the North West Picture: SAPS

Items that were used by the illegal miners. Picture: SAPS

Illegal miners were using this hole to access a mine in the North West. Picture: SAPS

She said when police arrived at the scene, a group of men entered the home and disappeared down the man-made hole in the bedroom.

"With the assistance of the mine security team, some of the mine property and other equipment were found inside the house. A search for other suspects is continuing," Funani said.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrests and thanked the team for their concerted efforts in addressing illegal mining activities.

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