South African President Authorizes $26 Million Operation to Combat Illegal Mining.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has given the go-ahead for the deployment of 3,300 army personnel, costing $26 million, to address the persistent issue of illegal mining in the country. This strategic move, part of “Operation Prosper,” is designed to uphold law and order. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), in collaboration with the police, will execute an anti-criminality operation from October 28, 2023, to April 28, 2024.
This deployment echoes a previous initiative under the same operation in 2019, which targeted gang violence in the Western Cape province. The decision to extend the operation to combat illegal mining reflects the government’s commitment to addressing multifaceted security challenges.
The Minerals Council of South Africa has underlined the detrimental impact of illegal mining, taking place in both disused and active mines. Beyond posing a threat to law and order, this illicit activity significantly diminishes the country’s investment appeal, resulting in substantial financial los犀利士 ses for mines and the overall economy. The six-month operation is a proactive measure to curb these illicit activities and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.