Mantashe: More people may be down Virginia mine shaft

VIRGINIA - There are suspicions that more miners, or at least their bodies, may be down the shaft of a Harmony Gold Mine.

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the mine in Virginia in the Free State on Monday.

He says while they are not yet certain, movements of methane gas suggest more people may be down the shaft.

READ: Illegal Mining | 31 dead miners believed to be Lesotho nationals

Meanwhile Harmony Gold Mine says it will take the time needed to ensure it can safely retrieve bodies from a mine shaft.

31 suspected illegal miners, believed to be Basotho nationals, died following an underground methane gas explosion.

The mine is working with the Mineral Resources Department to find a solution.

It is understood the mine was abandoned 30 years ago.

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