In a statement on Thursday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced the authorization of the deployment of 3,300 army personnel to assist in combating illegal mining activities.
The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), with an estimated cost of approximately 492 million rand ($26 million), is intended to uphold law and order under “Operation Prosper,” as stated by Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, in the announcement.
The SANDF was previously mobilized in 2019 to the Western Cape province to address gang violence, operating under the same initiative, “Operation Prosper.”
“Members of the SANDF will, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, conduct an intensified anti-criminality operation against illegal mining across all provinces, from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024,” the presidency said.
The Minerals Council South Africa reports that illegal mining imposes an annual cost of up to 7 billion rand on operating mines, with the broader economy losing tens of billions of rand in terms of lost export earnings, taxes, and royalties.