Mantashe: Illegal mining is a criminal activity, it must be dealt with by the police
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe revealed this during a mining health and safety briefing in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon.
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The illegal mining industry continues to wage war on the South African economy.
The illicit trade of precious metals is estimated to be worth around R60 billion in 2024.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe revealed this during a mining health and safety briefing in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon.
Gwede Mantashe remains adamant that the illegal mining industry is something his department is not responsible for but rests on the shoulders of the police.
The Mineral Resources and Petroleum minister addressed the media in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon during the release of the 2024 mine health and safety stats.
He said that illicit mining was a multi-billion rand industry.
"Precious metals, illicit trade, is estimated in 2024 at about R60 billion. That R60 billion is a leakage on the value of the economy of the country."
Mantashe emphasised that his department was not responsible for illegal mining but they would support the police in their fight against it.
"Would you give the responsibility of dealing with cash heists to the minister of finance? Illegal mining is a criminal activity, it must be dealt with by the police."
Mantashe said that on average, they closed 40 mining shafts, used by illegal miners, every year.