Locals from Springs informal settlement continue to dig for gold deposits

Locals from the Gugulethu informal settlement in Springs, on the East Rand, are continuing to dig for gold deposits on a private plot of land they believe could help them find instant riches.

This follows rumours that one other person had discovered untapped gold near the surface.

Since then, scores of people have been digging on the plot.

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What would be a cattle kraal has now turned into a mini mine. It costs R20 for entry. The plot is the size of two soccer fields.

Looking out across, one can hardly count the number of holes now dug by the locals hoping to strike gold.

There are at least 30 people there now - early birds, because larger numbers are expected throughout course of the day.

Some are illegal miners, while others are novices, unclear what they’re looking for.

After loading several buckets onto a bakkie, they’ll make their way to a nearby river to sift the waste from any gold that may be present.

Those who have been lucky said they’ve sold it off and earned at least R3,000 at a time.