President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 3,300 soldiers in cooperation with the South African Police Service, to tackle illegal mining and the construction Mafia under Operation Prosper. The operation seeks to prevent and combat crime while maintaining and preserving the rule of  law. In August, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) had indicated that it intends to ensure that mining companies are held liable to undertake proper rehabilitation and safeguard their properties in the face of illegal mining. We spoke to  Acting Chief Director for Communications at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ernest Mulibana...