stolen mud

"private, well-hidden smelting plants" ??? Is that sort of thing common. wierd.

Thieves perform dirty deeds in treasure hunt
August 22 2005 at 06:08PM

Belgrade - Security guards protecting what is left of Serbia's once mighty Bor mining and smelting complex are being overrun by thieves stealing mud that contains traces of gold, silver and platinum, a Belgrade newspaper reported.

Bor police have filed charges against persons unknown for the theft of about 700 kilograms of valuable anode mud from the bankrupt, state-owned company in southern Serbia, Danas said in its weekend edition.

The paper quoted security company chief Ljuba Milovanovic as saying thieves stopped at nothing to get at the mud, carrying it off in bags, sacks, bottles, clothing and even in pockets.

The paper said 200kg of the mud would yield about 1kg of gold and 6kg of silver, plus other potentially valuable metals. It was probably processed in "private, well-hidden smelting plants".