Goldfields mining student fined, granted spent conviction over Silver Lake gold steal

A mature-aged mining engineering student at the WA School of Mines caught stealing gold from Goldfields-based miner says he is “very sorry” for his “really stupid mistake”.

Deo Alfred Ruzunga, 51, was earlier today granted a spent conviction and fined $2500 for stealing 69g of gold valued at about $4000 from Silver Lake Resources.

That came after Ruzunga took mud wrapped in old cloths that had been washed down the drain of a Silver Lake gold processing room on three different occasions between November 25 and December 27 last year.

Ruzunga this morning faced Kalgoorlie Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to one charge of stealing.

Outside the courthouse, Mr Ruzunga said being a student he was curious to learn more about what was in the mud.

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