Mantashe: 'Illegal mining is not a mining activity, it's a crime'

JOHANNESBURG - Mineral Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe says illegal mining does not fall under his purview, but under the Minister of Police's.

There has been pressure on Mantashe to visit mines where zama-zamas are underground.

Mantashe was speaking on Power to Truth with JJ Tabane earlier.

Police say more than 1400 miners have surfaced so far, with 8 bodies retrieved since the operation began.

An unknown number of illegal miners remain underground.

They have sent up letters asking for food, medication and the rescue of the sick.