South African President Deploys 3,300 Soldiers To Fight Illegal Mining

JAKARTA - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has allowed the deployment of 3,300 military personnel to help combat illegal mining activities, Presidential Office Ramaphosa said in a statement on Thursday.

The deployment of the South African National Defense Forces (SANDF), which is estimated to cost around $492 million, aims to maintain law and order under the "Operation Prosper", Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for Ramaphosa, said in the statement.

SANDF was previously deployed in 2019 to Western Cape Province to combat gang violence in the same operation.

"SANDF members, in collaboration with the South African Police, will carry out intensive anti-criminal operations against illegal mining in all provinces, from October 28, 2023 to April 28, 2024," the presidency said, quoted from Reuters on November 10.

Citing Defence Web, this time the deployment increased from the number of soldiers approved to be deployed previously as many as 880 personnel. They will protect critical infrastructure and fight crime from 18 October to 31 March 2024.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Mineral Council mining industry agency said illegal mining occurred both in unused and active mines and had dampened South Africa's appeal as an investment destination.

It is said, this causes losses in mining operations of as much as 7 billion rands each year and economic losses of tens of billions of rands due to loss of export income, taxes and royalties.